Projectile motion

What is projectile motion?

movement of body through air flowing a curved flight path under force of gravity

What is a projectile?

body launched into air and subject to weight and AR

What is Bernoulli’s principle?

creation of an additional lift force on a projectile in flight

What is the pressure and velocity when Bernoulli’s principle happens on a projectile?

High velocity, low pressure above
Low velocity, high pressure below
this creates lift force

Angle of attack

optimal angle to lift projectile is 17 degrees

What is a downward lift force?

aerofoil shape is flipped
F1 uses it to hold car down when going around corners fast

What affects horizontal distance of a projectile?

-speed of release
-angle of release
-height of release
-aerodynamic factors

Speed of release

greater force, greater momentum and acceleration
so more distance

Angle of release - 90 degrees

accelerate vertically then come down, travelling 0m

Angle of release - 45 degrees

optimal angle of release
maximises horizontal distance

Angle of release - greater than 45 degrees

reach peak height too quickly and rapidly return to ground

Angle of release - less than 45 degrees

projectile won’t achieve sufficient height to maximise flight

Height of release

45 is optimal if release height is same as landing height

What if release height and landing height are different?

if release is above landing then optimal release is less than 45
if release is below landing then optimal release is above 45

Parabolic flight path

weight is dominant force
curve
eg. shot put

Non parabolic flight path

air resistance is dominant force
asymmetrical curve
eg. badminton

Left hand peak non parabolic flight path

discus
due to aerofoil shape
reaches its highest point quickly due to lift force