Vertical Projectile Motion

Chapter 4
Page 31 to 48
Expectations
1. Definition of terms –
projectile, free fall.
2. Equations of Motion
3. Graphs of motion
4. Problem Solving – incl.
simultaneous equations 1
 Free Fall & Projectile Definition
•Definition: Free fall is the motion of an object
under the influence of gravity only.
•An object in free fall is referred to as a
projectile.

•Definition: A projectile is an object on which

the only force acting is gravity.
•A projectile is said to be in free ‘fall’.

2
Which of the following
objects are projectiles?

3
2 Assumptions
1. Air resistance is negligible,
i.e. the objects are in free fall.

2. Acceleration due to the force of gravity is

constant,
i.e. 𝑎 = 𝑔 = 9.8 𝑚. 𝑠 −2 downwards.

NOTE: Velocity at maximum height = 0 m.s-1

4
Important Consequences!
• NOTE: time symmetry, i.e. time
up = time down.
• NOTE: velocity at same height is
equal in magnitude but opposite
in direction.
• Both are a result of assumption
2: constant acceleration.
• NOTE: velocity at the top of the
motion is 0 𝑚.𝑠−1.

5
Equations of Motion
for Vertical Projectile Motion
𝑣𝑓 = 𝑣𝑖 + 𝑎∆𝑡

2 2
𝑣𝑓 = 𝑣𝑖 + 2𝑎∆𝒚

1 2
∆𝒚 = 𝑣𝑖 ∆𝑡 + 𝑎∆𝑡
2

𝑣𝑖 + 𝑣𝑓
∆𝑦 = ∆𝑡
2 6
4 Types of Problems
1. Problems with no initial velocity.

2. Problems with an initial velocity.

3. Hot air balloon problems.

4. Bouncing ball problems.

7
Problem-solving Strategy

1. Draw a sketch.
2. Define your positive direction.
3. Fill in ALL known values.
4. Substitute into the appropriate
equation of motion.
8
Example 1a
A stone is dropped off a bridge and strikes the water below 5 𝑠
later. Ignore the effects of air resistance. Calculate:
a) the vertical distance that the stone fell.

9
Example 1b
b) the velocity with which the stone hits the water.

10
Classwork / Homework
• Do Exercise 4.1, pg.37, Q 4 & 6.

11
Example 2
A ball is projected vertically upward at 20 𝑚. 𝑠 −1 . Calculate the
maximum height that the ball will reach. Ignore the effects of air
resistance.

12
Example 3a
A boy fires a pellet gun upwards from the top of a cliff. The pellet
leaves the gun at 20 𝑚. 𝑠 −1 and strikes the ground at 30 𝑚. 𝑠 −1 .
Ignore the effects of air resistance. Calculate:
a) the height ℎ that the pellet is shot from.

13
Example 3b
b) the time that it takes for the pellet to reach the ground.

14
15
Example 4a
A hot air balloon is moving upward with a velocity of 5 𝑚. 𝑠 −1 . A
person inside the balloon then throws a ball upward with a
velocity of 7 𝑚. 𝑠 −1 relative to the balloon. Ignore the effects of
air resistance. If the ball was 70 𝑚 above the ground when
thrown upward, calculate:
a) the time taken for the ball to reach its highest point.

16
Example 4b
b) the height of the ball above the ground at this point.

17
Classwork / Homework
• Do Exercise 4.1, pg.37-38, Q 7 ; 9 & 11.

18
DBE, Nov 2022,
Paper 1

19
20
DBE, Sept 2023,
Paper 1

21
22
DBE, Nov 2021,
Paper 1

23
24
 Uniform Uniform Uniform
Deceleration Acceleration Velocity
∆𝑥

∆𝑥
∆𝑥
∆𝑡

∆𝑡

∆𝑡
𝑣

𝑣
𝑣
∆𝑡

∆𝑡

∆𝑡
𝑎

𝑎
𝑎
∆𝑡

∆𝑡
∆𝑡
25
 Notes on Motion Graphs
• When drawing motion graphs, always define a positive
direction (if not already given).

• When drawing position-time graphs, always define a

zero position (if not already given).

• For ALL vertical projectile motion graphs:

1. ALL position-time graphs will have a parabolic shape.
2. ALL velocity-time graphs will be a straight-line.
3. ALL acceleration-time graphs will be constant
(i.e. a horizontal line).
26
Graphs of Vertical Projectile Motion
(Object Thrown Upward/Downward)
An object is thrown upward at a
speed of 10 𝑚. 𝑠 −1 , reaches a
maximum height of 5.1 𝑚 in 1 𝑠
and then drops back down to the
same position from where it was
thrown. Sketch the graphs of
1. Acceleration vs. Time
2. Velocity vs. Time
3. Position vs. Time
27
Acceleration-Time Graphs
(Object Thrown Upward/Downward)

28
 Position-Time & Velocity-Time Graphs
(Object Thrown Upward/Downward)

29
Graphs of Vertical Projectile Motion
(Bouncing Ball – different height)
A ball is dropped to the ground
from a height of 1.5 𝑚 and
bounces three times rising to
heights of 1 𝑚 and 0.75 𝑚 at 𝐶
and 𝐸 respectively. The velocities
of the ball just before it strikes
the ground at 𝐵, 𝐷 and 𝐹 are
5,42 𝑚. 𝑠 −1 , 4,43 𝑚. 𝑠 −1 and
3.84 𝑚. 𝑠 −1 respectively.
Sketch the graphs of
1. Acceleration vs. Time
2. Velocity vs. Time
3. Position vs. Time
30
31
 Calculations from Graphs of Motion
(Grade 10 Revision)
Velocity-Time Graph
Gradient of
the Graph =
Acceleration
𝑣
Area under the Graph =
Displacement /
Distance ∆𝑡

Displacement-Time Graph
Gradient of
the Graph =
∆𝑦 Velocity

32
∆𝑡
EC, Sept 2024,
Paper 1

33
DBE, May/June
2024, Paper 1

34
DBE, Nov 2015,
Paper 1

35
36
DBE, June 2017, Paper 1

37
38
More Challenging Problems DBE, Nov 2015, Paper 1

39
40
DBE, Feb-March 2016, Paper 1

41
42
 DBE,
May-June 2022,
Paper 1

43
44
 DBE,
May-June 2022,
Paper 1

45
EC, Sept 2022, Paper 1

46
47
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS

48
EC, Sept 2024,
Paper 1

49
EC, Sept 2024, Paper 1

50
DBE, May/June
2024, Paper 1

51
DBE, May/June
2024, Paper 1

52