Projectile Motion Cheat Sheet Edexcel Stats/Mech Year 2

In this chapter, you will learn how to solve problems involving a particle Projectile motion formulae
moving only under the influence of gravity. This type of motion is known as Projection at an angle Some questions may require you to derive formulae related to projectile motion.
projectile motion. You need to be able to solve problems where a particle is projected at any angle, These questions rely on the same methods we have already covered, but it is
by considering the horizontal and vertical components of the initial velocity. important that you are familiar with this style of question.
The constant acceleration (sometimes called SUVAT) formulae are of great
importance in this chapter. If a particle is projected with speed 𝑈 at an angle 𝛼, then Example 3: A particle is projected from a point with speed 𝑈 at an angle of
elevation 𝛼 and moves freely under gravity. When the particle
A typical example of ▪ The horizontal component of the initial velocity is 𝑈𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼, and the has moved a horizontal distance 𝑥, its height above the point of
projectile motion projection is 𝑦.
vertical component is 𝑈𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼.

The above bullet point follows from using basic trigonometry with the right- 𝑔𝑥 2
Show that 𝑦 = 𝑥𝑡𝑎𝑛𝛼 − 2𝑢2 (1 + 𝑡𝑎𝑛2 𝛼)
angled triangle made by the initial velocity and the plane:
We begin by analysing the horizontal motion:
Analysing projectile motion
When analysing the motion of a projectile, it is useful to consider the 𝑠 = 𝑢𝑡: 𝑥 = (𝑈𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼)𝑡 [1]
horizontal and vertical motion separately.
Now looking at the vertical direction:
▪ The horizontal motion of a projectile is modelled as having constant
Some problems will involve finding the range of a projectile, its time of flight or
velocity (acceleration is 0). You can use 𝑠 = 𝑢𝑡. 𝑠=𝑦
the greatest height above a plane. You need to know that: 1
𝑢 = 𝑈𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼 Using 𝑠 = 𝑢𝑡 + 2 𝑎𝑡 2:
▪ The vertical motion of a projectile is modelled as having constant 1
▪ The range of a projectile is the distance from the point of projection to 𝑣=
acceleration due to gravity (acceleration = 𝑔 = 9.8). You can use any ⇒ 𝑦 = 𝑈𝑡𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼 − 𝑔𝑡 2 [2]
the point where it strikes the horizontal plane. 𝑎 = −𝑔 2
of the constant acceleration formulae.
𝑡=𝑡
▪ The time of flight is the total time elapsed between the initial projection
▪ When projected horizontally, the initial vertical velocity is 0 m/s.
and the first point of contact with the plane. We now look at the required equation: there is 𝑦 in terms of 𝑥 with no
The reason that there is no acceleration in the horizontal direction is since 𝑡 anywhere. But we have two equations, 𝑦 and 𝑥, both in terms of 𝑡.
▪ A projectile will reach its point of greatest height when the vertical To form an equation involving 𝑦 and 𝑥, we can make 𝑡 the subject of
gravity acts vertically downwards, there are no forces acting on the particle in
component of velocity is equal to 0. [1] and substitute into [2]:
the horizontal direction and so there is no acceleration in this direction.
𝑥
Example 1: A particle projected horizontally with speed 𝑢 𝑚𝑠 −1 from a point 𝑥 = (𝑈𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼)𝑡 ⇒ 𝑡 = 𝑈𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼
Example 2: A particle is projected from a point 𝑂 with speed 35𝑚𝑠 −1
at an angle
122.5m above a horizontal plane. The particle hits the plane at a of elevation of 30°. The particle moves freely under gravity. Find the
point which is at a horizontal distance of 90m away from the Substituting into [2]:
length of time for which the particle is 15𝑚 or more above 𝑂.
starting point. Find the initial speed of the particle.
𝑥 1 𝑥 2
⇒ 𝑦 = 𝑈𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼 (𝑈𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼 ) − 2 𝑔 (𝑈𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼 )

𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼 𝑔𝑥 2
⇒𝑦=𝑥 −
𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼 2𝑈 2 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝛼
Resolving vertically to find the times when vertical distance is 15m: 𝑔𝑥 2 1
Resolving vertically: 1 ⇒ 𝑦 = 𝑥𝑡𝑎𝑛𝛼 − (𝑠𝑒𝑐 2 𝛼) since
𝑐𝑜𝑠2𝛼
= 𝑠𝑒𝑐 2𝛼
Using 𝑠 = 𝑢𝑡 + 2 𝑎𝑡 2 : 2𝑈 2
𝑠 = 15 since
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼
= 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝛼
1 1
𝑠 = 122.5 Using 𝑠 = 𝑢𝑡 + 2 𝑎𝑡2 : 𝑢 = 35𝑠𝑖𝑛30 ⇒ 15 = 35𝑠𝑖𝑛30(𝑡) − 𝑔𝑡 2
𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼
𝑔𝑥 2
𝑢=0 1 𝑣= 2 ⇒ 𝑦 = 𝑥𝑡𝑎𝑛𝛼 − (1 + 𝑡𝑎𝑛2 𝛼) since 𝑠𝑒𝑐 2𝛼 = 1 + 𝑡𝑎𝑛 2𝛼
122.5 = 0 + 2 𝑔𝑡 2 ⇒ 49𝑡 2 − 175𝑡 + 150 = 0 (simplifying) 2𝑢2
𝑣= 𝑎 = −𝑔
2(122.5)
𝑎=𝑔 ∴𝑡=√ =5 𝑡=𝑡 10 15 10 15
𝑡=𝑡
𝑔 ⇒𝑡= , so 𝑡1 = and 𝑡2 = . (solving)
7 7 7 7

5
Time required = 𝑡2 − 𝑡1 = 7
Resolving horizontally:
90 90
𝑠 = 𝑢𝑡: 90 = 𝑢𝑡 ⇒ 𝑢= = = 18 𝑚𝑠 −1
𝑡 5

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