Physics of Projectile Motion: Key Concepts and Calculations

Projectile

An object that moves through the air and is acted on only by gravity.

Trajectory

The path taken by a projectile.

Parabola

The shape of the path taken by a projectile.

Gravity

A projectile flies through the air only under the influence of this force.

Vertical Component of Motion

Independent of the horizontal component of the projectile's motion.

Horizontal Velocity

A projectile undergoes constant horizontal velocity.

Vertical Acceleration

A projectile undergoes constant vertical acceleration.

Simultaneous Landing

A ball dropped off a cliff at the same time another ball is thrown horizontally off the cliff will land at the same time.

Optimal Launch Angle

The optimal angle to launch a projectile is at 45 degrees.

Horizontal Acceleration

The horizontal acceleration of a projectile is 0.

Vertical Acceleration Value

The vertical acceleration of a projectile is -9.8 m/s².

Initial Vertical Velocity

The initial vertical velocity for a projectile launched horizontally is 0 m/s.

Velocity Tangent

The velocity is always tangent to the path of the projectile.

Apex Vertical Velocity

When a projectile is launched at an angle, at the top (apex) of its path the vertical velocity is 0.

Flight Time

An angled projectile has a flight time of 6.8 seconds.

Maximum Height Time

The projectile reaches its maximum height at a time of 3.4 seconds.

Complementary Angles

Complementary angles give a projectile the same range.

Vertical Component at 45 Degrees

The vertical component of a projectile launched at an angle of 45 degrees is equal to the horizontal component.