Motion of Projectile

Motion of Projectile Now we discuss some example of curved motion or two dimensional motion of constant acceleration such as the motion of constant acceleration such as the motion of a particle projected at certain angle with the horizontal in vertical x-y plane (this type of motion is called projectile motion). Note: Air resistance to the motion of the body is to be assumed absent in this type of motion. To analyze the projectile motion we use the following concept "Resolution of two dimensional motion into two one dimension motion" as discussed earlier. Hence it is easier to analyze the motion of projectile as composed of two simultaneous rectilinear motions which are independent of each other : (a) (b) Along the vertical y-axis with a uniform downward acceleration 'g' and Along the horizontal x-axis with a uniform velocity forward.

Consider a particle projected with an initial velocity u at an angle with the horizontal xaxis as shown in figure shown below. Velocity and accelerations can be resolved into two components:

Velocity along x-axis = ux = u cos Acceleration along x-axis ax = 0 Velocity along y-axis = uy = u sin Acceleration along y-axis ay = -g Here we use different equation of motions of one dimension derived earlier to get the

different parameters.

Total Time of flight: When body returns to the same horizontal level, the resultant displacement in vertical y-direction is zero. Use equation B. Therefore, 0 = (u sin ) t - ()gt2 or t = 2u sin /g Horizontal Range: Horizontal Range (OA) = Horizontal velocity Time of flight (as t cannot equal to 0)

= u cos 2 u sin /g = u2 sin 2 /g

Maximum Height: At the highest point of the trajectory, vertical component of velocity is zero. Therefore, 0 = (u sin )2 - 2g Hmax Or, Hmax = u2 sin /2g

Equation of Trajectory: Assuming the point of projection as the origin of co-ordinates and horizontal direction as the x-axis and vertical direction as the y-axis. Let P (x, y) be the position of the particle at instant after t second. Then x = u cos .t and y = u sin .t - 1/2 gt2 Eliminating 't' form the above equations, we get, y = x tan - gx2/2u2cos2 This is the equation of trajectory which is a parabola (y = ax + bx2).

Illustration: A gun moving at a speed of 30m/sec fires at an angle 30o with a velocity 150m/s relative to the gun. Find the distance between the gun and the projectile when projectile hits the ground. (g = 10 m/sec) Solution: Vertical component of velocity = 150 sin 30o = 75 m/sec Horizontal component of velocity relative to gun = 150 cos 30o

= 753 m/sec Horizontal component of velocity relative to ground = 753 + 30 160m/sec Time of flight = (2*75)/g = 15 sec

Range of projectile = 160 15 = 2400 m Distance moved by the gun and projectile = 2400 - 450 = 1950 m.

Horizontal projection Consider a particle projected horizontally with a velocity below. from a point O as shown in figure given

Assuming the point of projection O as the origin of coordinates and horizontal direction as the X-axis and vertical direction as Y-axis. Let P (x, y) be the position of the particle after t seconds.

..

x = horizontal distance covered in time t = ut. y = vertical distance covered in time t = gt2 Eliminate t from equations (1) and (2) then We get, y = (1/2)(g/u2) (x2)

............... (1) ............... (2)

This is the equation of parabola passing through the origin, with its vertex at the origin O. Hence the trajectory is a parabola.

Illustration: A stone is thrown at a speed of 19.6 m/sec at an angle 30 o above the horizontal from a tower of height 490 meter. Find the time during which the stone will be in air. Also find the distance from the foot of the tower to the point where stone hits the ground?

Solution: Let us consider the motion of stone in the horizontal and vertical directions separately. (i) Vertical motion (downward direction negative) : Initial vertical velocity y = 19.6 sin 30o Acceleration a = g = -9.8 m/s2 Vertical distance covered = h = 490 m Using, We have, h = ut + 1/2gt2 490 = - 9.8t + (1/2) 9.8t2 100 = - 2t + t2 or t2 - 2t - 100 = 0

t=

.. t = 11.25 sec. (ii) Horizontal motion: Initial horizontal velocity y = 19.6 sin 30o = 9.8 m/s

Ans.

Hence distance from the foot of tower to the point where stone hits the ground = Horizontal component time of flight = 19.6 cos 30 11.02 = 190 m Ans.

Projectile Motion on an inclined plane Let the particle strike the plane at A so that OA is the range of the projectile on inclined plane. This initial velocity can be resolved into two components:

(i) u cos ( - ) along the plane (ii) u sin ( - ) perpendicular to the plane. The acceleration due to gravity g can be resolved into two components: (i) g sin parallel to the plane (ii) g cos perpendicular to the plane.

Time of Flight Let t be the time taken by the particle to go from A to B. In this time the displacement of the projectile to the plane is zero. Hence, 0 = u sin (-) t - g t2 => t = 2u sin(-)/gcos Range

During time of flight, the horizontal velocity u cos remains constant. Hence, Horizontal distance OB = (ucos) t = 2u2sin(-)cos/gcos Now, OA = OB/cos = 2u2sin(-)cos/gcos Think : The greatest distance of the projectile from the inclined plane is u 2sin2 ()/2gcos .

Illustration: A Particle is projected with a velocity 39.2 m/sec at an angle of 30 o to an inclined plane (inclined at an angle of 45o to the horizontal). Find the range on the incline (a) when it is projected upward (b) when it is projected downward, Solution: Time of flight will be same in both cases because the acceleration perpendicular to the plane is same. Therefore 0 = 39.2 sin 30o t - () g cos 45o t2 Or, (a) t = (239.2 sin 30)/(g cos 45) = 42 sec Range upward = 39.2 cos 30o t - () g sin 30o t2 = 39.2 3/2 42- (1/2) 9.8 (1/2) (42)2 = 113.7m Ans. (b) Range downward = 39.2 cos 30 t + () g sin 30o t2 = 39.2 3/2 42 + (1/2) 9.8 (1/2) (42)2 = 270.5m Ans. Motion down the plane Let the particle be thrown at a velocity v0 at angle with the horizontal as shown in figure.

v0 sin (+)T- 1/2 gcosT2=0 [for y'=0]

=> T = (2v0 sin(+))/gcos R = v0 cos(+ )T+ 1/2 g sin T2= ( )/g [(sin(2+)+sin)/(1-sin2)]

Since is the variable and maximum value of sin function is 1, therefore for R to be maximum, sin (2+)=1 and Rmax ( )/g [(1+sin)/(1-sin2)]= ( )/(g(1-sin)) down the plane.