Projectile Motion

Question 1

Define projectile motion

Answer 1

The movement of a body through the air following a curved flight path under the force of gravity

Question 2

What is a projectile

Answer 2

A body that is launched into the air losing contact with the ground surface, such as a discus or a long jumper

Question 3

Factors affecting horizontal distance travelled by a projectile

Answer 3

• speed of release
• angle of release
• height of release
• aerodynamic factors (Bernoulli + Magnus)

Question 4

What happens when projectile is released at different angles: 90°, >45 e.g. 60, 45, <45 e.g. 30

Answer 4

90: accelerate vertically upwards, come straight back down travelling 0m
60: reaches peak hight too quickly and rapidly returns to ground
45: optimal angle to maximise horizontal distance
30: does not achieve sufficient hight to maximise flight time

Question 5

What happens when:
• release height is above landing height e.g. shot put (positive relative release hight)
• release height is below landing height e.g. bunker shot in golf (negative relative release height

Answer 5

PRRH - optimal release angle is <45° as projectile already has increased height of release
NRRH - optimal release angle is >45° as projectile needs increased flight time to overcome the obstacles

Question 6

What is a parabolic flight path

Answer 6

A flight path symmetrical about its highest point, caused by the dominant weight force of a projectile (weight > air resistance). E.g. shot put

Question 7

What is a non-parabolic flight path

Answer 7

A flight path that is asymmetrical about its highest point caused by the dominant force of air resistance on the projectile (air resistance > weight). E.g. badminton shuttle

Question 8

Define resultant force

Answer 8

The sum of all forces acting on a body or the net force acting on the projectile