PROJECTILE Practice Worksheet Ans.

Key
FORMULA BANK
x = vxot + ½at2 vxf = vxo + at
Horizontal Motion Formulas:
x = ½(vxo + vxf)t vxf2 = vxo2 + 2ax
y = yo + vyot  ½gt2 vyf = vyo  gt
Vertical Motion Formulas:
y = ½(vyo + vyf)t vyf2 = vyo2  2gy
Pythagorean Theorem: a2 + b2 = c2

b = opp.
c = hypot.
S.O.H.C.A.H.T.O.A.: 𝐭𝐚𝐧  =
𝒐𝒑𝒑.
𝐬𝐢𝐧  =
𝒐𝒑𝒑.
𝐜𝐨𝐬  =
𝒂𝒅𝒋. 
𝒂𝒅𝒋. 𝒉𝒚𝒑. 𝒉𝒚𝒑.
a = adj.
𝒐𝒑𝒑. 𝒐𝒑𝒑. 𝒂𝒅𝒋.
To find the angle :  = 𝐭𝐚𝐧𝟏  = 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝟏  = 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝟏
𝒂𝒅𝒋. 𝒉𝒚𝒑. 𝒉𝒚𝒑.

1. A freshman runs off the bleachers and onto the football field as shown in the
figure at right. The freshman’s horizontal velocity is 8 m/s. Assume gravity is
10 m/s per second. 10 m
2.
(a.) ___ y = yo  ½gt2___ What is the formula for height you would use for this
problem (already “adjusted” for the problem situation)?
Ans. The formulas for vertical motion that have time in them are y = yo ±vyot  ½gt2 and vyf = ±vyo  gt. The first
one is for height and the second one for final velocity. We will use the formula for height and modify it for
our situation. The freshman has no initial vertical velocity (he has horizontal velocity but not vertical
velocity).
The freshman is also jumping from an elevated position (10 m) so she has initial height. So your final
formula is y = yo  ½gt2

(b.) __t = 1.41 sec___ In how many seconds would the freshman land on the ground?
Ans. G.U.E.S.S. Method. Givens  g = 10 m/s2
Uknown  t (time to hit the ground)
Equation  From Probl. (a.) y = yo  ½gt2
Solve  Let’s solve for our variable in question, t:
y = yo  ½gt2
yo yo
y  yo =  ½gt2
2 (y  yo) =  ½gt2  2
2 (y  yo) = gt2
g g
2(𝑦−𝑦𝑜)
√ = √𝒕𝟐
𝑔
2(𝑦−𝑦𝑜)
√ =t
𝑔
Substitute  Plugging in our given information into our formula:
2(𝑦−𝑦𝑜)
√ =t
𝑔
2(0 𝑚−10 𝑚)
√ =t
10 𝑚⁄ 2
𝑠
√2.04 = t
𝟏. 𝟒𝟏 𝒎/𝒔 = t
 (c.) ____11.31 m_____ How far (in m) would the freshman have moved horizontally in the time you found
in Probl. (b).
Ans. G.U.E.S.S. Method. Givens  vxo = 8 m/s (given initial horizontal velocity), t = 1.41 s (from Probl. (b.))
Uknown  x (horizontal distance travelled by freshman)
Equation  the formula for horizontal distance: x = vxot + ½at2 
Adjusting for our situation (no horizontal acceleration): x = vxot
Solve  The formula is already solved for x: x = vxot
Substitute  Plugging in our given information into our formula:
x = vxot = (8 m/s)(1.41 s) = 11.31 m

(d.) _____ vyf =  gt ____ What is the formula for vertical velocity (in m/s) you would use for this problem
(already “adjusted” for the problem situation)?
Ans. The “cousin” formula for vertical velocity is vyf =  gt, because the freshman has no initial vertical velocity.

(e.) ____14.14 m/s_____ What would be the freshman’s final vertical velocity (in m/s) right before he lands
on the ground?
Ans. G.U.E.S.S. Method. Givens  g = 10 m/s2, t = 1.41 sec (from Probl. (b.))
Uknown  vyf (freshman’s final vertical velocity)
Equation  vyf = gt
Solve  The formula is already solved for v: vyf = gt
Substitute  Plugging in our given information into our formula:
vyf = gt = 10 m/s2 1.41 sec = 14.14 m/s

(f.) Draw and label the freshman’s velocity vectors at the points indicated. Make sure you draw them to scale.
The first one has been done for you. You should draw both v x, the horizontal components, vy, the vertical
components, and vr, the resultant. You will be drawing a total of six arrows that are missing below. Also,
label the angles that the resultant vectors make with the horizontal.
Ans. STEP 1: The horizontal velocity does not change throughout so we can just copy the initial horizontal
velocity vector and draw it exactly the same way at the other two points

vxo = 8 m/s
vx = 8 m/s

10 m
vx = 8 m/s
t = 0 sec 1 sec 1.41 sec
STEP 2: Let’s measure the length of the horizontal velocity vector and set up a proportion to find our scale.
The horizontal velocity is given to be 8 m/s and is 2.7 cm long. Set up a proportion:
𝟐. 𝟕 cm
= 𝟎. 𝟑𝟑𝟕𝟓 𝐜𝐦 𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝒎⁄𝒔.
𝟖 𝑚⁄𝑠

STEP 3: Let’s draw the vertical velocity vectors now according to our scale.
• At t = 0 sec, There is no initial vertical velocity. vyo = 0 m/s
• At t = 1 sec, the vertical velocity is vy = gt = 10 m/s2 (1 sec) = 10 m/s
Using our scale of 0.3375 cm per 1 m/s, 10 m/s  0.3375 cm per m/s = 3.375 cm
• At t = 1.41 sec, the vertical velocity, vy, is 14.14 m/s (ans. to Probl. (e.)).
Using our scale of 0.3375 cm per 1 m/s, 14.14 m/s  0.3375 cm per m/s = 4.7725 cm
 vxo = 8 m/s
vx= 8 m/s

10 m
vx= 8 m/s
t = 0 sec 1 sec 1.41 sec
vy = 10 m/s

vy = 14.14 m/s

STEP 4: Let’s draw the resultant velocity vectors now according to our scale. Just draw rectangles
(parallelograms) around your horizontal and vertical velocity vectors. Your resultants will be the
diagonals of the rectangles. Draw from the “tail-to-tail” vectors to the opposite corner of the
rectangle always.

vxo= 8 m/s
vx = 8 m/s

10 m
vx = 8 m/s
t = 0 sec 1 sec 1.41 sec
vy = 10 m/s vr = 12.81 m/s
STEP 5: Using your scale, or the Pythagorean
Theorem, find the magnitudes of the resultant
velocities:
Ans. G.U.E.S.S. Method.
Givens  at t = 1 sec, vx = 8 m/s,
vy = 10 m/s vy = 14.14 m/s
At t = 1.41 sec, , vx = 8 m/s,
vy = 14.14 m/s vr = 16.25 m/s
Uknown  vr (resultant velocity)
Substitute  Plugging in our given information into our formula:
Equation  a2 + b2 = c2
At t = 1 sec, At t = 1.41 sec,
Solve  a2 + b2 = c2
vx2 + vy2 = vr2 √𝒗𝟐𝒙 + 𝒗𝟐𝒚 = 𝒗𝒓 √𝒗𝟐𝒙 + 𝒗𝟐𝒚 = 𝒗𝒓
√𝒗𝟐𝒙 + 𝒗𝟐𝒚 = √𝒗𝟐𝒓 𝒎 𝒎 𝒎 𝒎
√(𝟖 𝒔 )𝟐 + (𝟏𝟎 𝒔 )𝟐 = 𝒗𝒓 √(𝟖 𝒔 )𝟐 + (𝟏𝟒. 𝟏𝟒 𝒔 )𝟐 = 𝒗𝒓
√𝒗𝟐𝒙 + 𝒗𝟐𝒚 = 𝒗𝒓 √𝟔𝟒 + 𝟏𝟎𝟎 = 𝒗𝒓 √𝟔𝟒 + 𝟏𝟗𝟗. 𝟗𝟑 = 𝒗𝒓
√𝟏𝟔𝟒 = 𝒗𝒓 √𝟐𝟔𝟑. 𝟗𝟒 = 𝒗𝒓
12.81 m/s = vr 16.25 m/s = vr
 vxo= 8 m/s
vx = 8 m/s
 = 51.34
10 m
vx = 8 m/s
t = 0 sec 1 sec 1.41 sec  = 60.50
vy = 10 m/s
vr = 12.81 m/s
STEP 6: Use S.O.H.C.A.H.T.O.A, to find the
direction (angles) of the resultant
velocities:
Ans. G.U.E.S.S. Method.
Givens  at t = 1 sec, vx = 8 m/s,
vy = 10 m/s
At t = 1.41 sec, vx = 8 m/s,
vr = 16.25 m/s
vy = 14.14 m/s
vy = 14.14 m/s
Uknown   (the launch angle)
𝒐𝒑𝒑.
Equation   = 𝐭𝐚𝐧𝟏
𝒂𝒅𝒋.
Solve  The formula is already
solved for .
Substitute  Plugging in our given
information into our formula:
𝒐𝒑𝒑. 𝟏𝟎 𝒎/𝒔.
 = 𝐭𝐚𝐧𝟏 = 𝐭𝐚𝐧𝟏
𝒂𝒅𝒋. 𝟖 𝒎/𝒔.
 = 51.34
𝒐𝒑𝒑. 𝟏𝟒.𝟏𝟒 𝒎/𝒔.
 = 𝐭𝐚𝐧𝟏 = 𝐭𝐚𝐧𝟏
𝒂𝒅𝒋. 𝟖 𝒎/𝒔.
 = 60.50

3. At the SMHS vs. Judson football game, the cheerleading squad

launches a Rattler t-shirt with the t-shirt shooter into the
bleachers from the football field with an initial velocity of 50
m/s at an angle of 40. Assume gravity is 10 m/s2. Vr = 50 m/s
 = 40
(a.) ___38.30 m/s = vxo___ What is the initial
horizontal velocity (vxo) of the t-shirt (in m/s)?
Ans. The initial horizontal velocity vxo can be obtained from 160 m
taking apart vr, the initial velocity (resultant), into its
horizontal and vertical components.
G.U.E.S.S. Method.
Givens  vr = 50 m/s (the diagonal initial velocity),  = 40 (the launch angle)
Uknown  vxo (the horizontal component of the velocity)
𝒂𝒅𝒋.
Equation  𝐜𝐨𝐬  =
𝒉𝒚𝒑.
𝒂𝒅𝒋.
Solve  𝐜𝐨𝐬  =
𝒉𝒚𝒑.
𝒗𝒙𝒐 Substitute  𝒗𝒓  𝐜𝐨𝐬  = 𝒗𝒙𝒐
𝐜𝐨𝐬  = 𝒎
𝒗𝒓 . (𝟓𝟎 )  𝐜𝐨𝐬 (𝟒𝟎°) = 𝒗𝒙𝒐
𝒗𝒙𝒐 𝒔
𝒗𝒓  𝐜𝐨𝐬  =  𝒗𝒓 38.30 m/s = vxo
𝒗𝒓 .
𝒗𝒓  𝐜𝐨𝐬  = 𝒗𝒙𝒐
 (b.) ___32.14 m/s = vyo__ What is the initial vertical velocity (vyo) of the t-shirt (in m/s)?
Ans. The initial vertical velocity vyo can be obtained from the Pythagorean Theorem or by taking apart vr, the
initial velocity (resultant), into its horizontal and vertical components.
G.U.E.S.S. Method.
Givens  vr = 50 m/s (the diagonal initial velocity),  = 40 (the launch angle)
Uknown  vyo (the vertical component of the velocity)
𝒐𝒑𝒑.
Equation  𝐬𝐢𝐧  =
𝒉𝒚𝒑.
𝒐𝒑𝒑.
Solve  𝐬𝐢𝐧  = Substitute  𝒗𝒓  𝐬𝐢𝐧  = 𝒗𝒚𝒐
𝒉𝒚𝒑.
𝒗𝒚𝒐 𝒎
𝐬𝐢𝐧  = (𝟓𝟎 )  𝐬𝐢𝐧 (𝟒𝟎°) = 𝒗𝒚𝒐
𝒗𝒓 . 𝒔
𝒗𝒚𝒐 32.14 m/s = vyo
𝒗𝒓  𝐬𝐢𝐧  =  𝒗𝒓
𝒗𝒓 .
𝒗𝒓  𝐬𝐢𝐧  = 𝒗𝒚𝒐

(c.) ___3.214 s = t___ In how many seconds will the t-shirt reach its maximum height?
Ans. By mental math, we can estimate the time right away. If gravity, takes 10 m/s every second off the
initial vertical velocity, vyo, which is 32.14 m/s, then it will take a 3.214 seconds for the vertical
velocity to be zero. The vertical velocity is zero at the maximum height.
G.U.E.S.S. Method (if you are not good at mental math).
Givens  vyo = 32.14 m/s (initial vertical velocity from Probl. (b.)), g = 10 m/s2
Uknown  t (time to reach maximum height)
Equation  v = ±vyo  gt. Adjusted to our situation: v = vyo  gt (because there is positive initial velocity)
Solve  We want to find t, the time. Solving:
v = vyo  gt
v  𝐯𝐲𝐨
v = vyo  gt Substitute  = 𝐭
−𝐠
vyo vyo m 𝐦
𝟎  (𝟑𝟐.𝟏𝟒 )
v  vyo = gt s
𝐦
𝐬
= 𝐭
−𝟏𝟎 𝟐
g g 𝐬
v  𝐯𝐲𝐨 𝟑. 𝟐𝟏𝟒 𝐬 = 𝐭
= 𝐭
−𝐠

(d.) __y = 51.65 m___ What is the maximum height (in m) the t-shirt will go?
𝒎
𝒗𝒚𝒐 (𝒕𝒕𝒐𝒑 ) 𝟑𝟐.𝟏𝟒 (𝟑.𝟐𝟏𝟒 𝒔)
𝒔
The mental math shortcut formula for this was ymax = = = 𝟓𝟏. 𝟔𝟓 𝒎
𝟐 𝟐
Ans. G.U.E.S.S. Method (if you don’t like the shortcut)
Givens  vyo = 32.14 m/s (initial vertical velocity from Probl. (b.)), g = 10 m/s2, t = 3.214 s (time to get
to max. height from Probl. (c.))
Uknown  y (maximum height)
Equation  y = yo ±vyot  ½gt2. Adjusted to our situation: y = vyot  ½gt2 (because there is positive initial
velocity and no initial height)
Solve  We want to find y, the height, so we don’t have to move anything around.
y = vyot  ½gt2
Substitute  y = 32.14 m/s(3.214 s) – ½(10 m/s2)(3.214 s)2
y = 51.65 m

(e.) __123.10 m_____ How far (in m) horizontally will the t-shirt have gone when it is at maximum height?
Ans. G.U.E.S.S. Method.
Givens  vxo = 38.30 m/s (horizontal velocity from Probl. (a.)), t = 3.214 s (time at maximum
height from Probl. (c.))
Uknown  x (horizontal distance)
Equation  x = vxot + ½at2. Adjusted to our situation: x = vxot (because there is positive initial
velocity and no acceleration)
Solve  We want to find x, the distance, so we don’t have to move anything around. x = vxot
Substitute  x = vxot = 38.30 m/s (3.214 s) = 123.10 m
(f.) ___4.18 s = t____ After how many seconds will the t-shirt land in the stands 160 m away?
Ans. G.U.E.S.S. Method.
Givens  vxo = 38.30 m/s (horizontal velocity from Probl. (a.)), x = 160 m (distance in question)
Uknown  t (time at which t-shirt lands 160 m away)
Equation  x = vxot + ½at2. Adjusted to our situation: x = vxot (because there is positive initial
velocity and no acceleration)
Solve  We want to find t, the time. Solving for t:
x = vxot
vxo vxo
𝒙
=𝐭
𝐯𝐱𝐨
𝒙
Substitute  =𝐭
𝐯𝐱𝐨
𝟏𝟔𝟎 𝒎
𝐦 =𝐭
(𝟑𝟖.𝟑𝟎 )
𝐬
4.18 s = t