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Science
Quarter 4 – Week 1 - Module 1:
Projectile Motion

AIRs - LM
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Projectile Motion
Lesson
1

Jumpstart
Have you tried competing with your friends by throwing the farthest stone?
Did you win? Is there science behind throwing things? What should you do to get the
greatest distance? There is a secret to doing this, which you can understand as you
read along.

Activity No. 1 Describing Projectile

Study the concept about projectiles, then answer the questions that follow.

A projectile is an object with an initial velocity, and which is then allowed to

move under the action of gravity. Remember:
Air resistance is present but negligible.
It follows a curved path due to gravity.
It must have NO motive power on its own.

Figure 1.1 shows an example of a projectile , a cannonball fired into the air.

Straight path if gravity is NOT

present

Trajectory
Projectile

• •
•
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Figure 1.1. A cannon ball fired into the air

Projectiles can be any object being thrown in

open air as long as it is not blown by the wind, it can be a rock, ball pen, chalk,
candy, even your shoes, etc.
A. Explain why the following are not considered projectiles.
1. A ball resting on the ground.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
2. A thin piece of paper (not crumpled) being thrown.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
3. Inflated balloon released in the air.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
4. A flying airplane.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

B. Cite three possible examples of projectile.

1. ________________________________________________________________________

2. ________________________________________________________________________

3. ________________________________________________________________________

Discover

Activity 2: Features of Projectile Motion

Study each concept below to understand projectile motion, then answer the related
questions.
1. The velocity of the projectile has horizontal and vertical components.
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where: V = velocity
Vx = horizontal component of velocity V
Vy
Vy = vertical component of velocity

Vx

Figure 2.1. 1 A cannon ball fired into the air

1.1. The horizontal component of the velocity at a given position can be

computed by
Vx = V0 Cos θ

1.2. The vertical component of the velocity at a given position can be

computed by

Vy= V0 Sin θ - gt

1.3. The velocity at a given position can be computed by where:

V0 = initial velocity
Vx = horizontal component of velocity
Vy = vertical component of velocity
v = velocity at a given position θ = angle

2 2
V = (Vx) + (Vy)

Example2.1.1
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A projectile is thrown with an initial velocity of 100 ft/s at an angle of 30˚

above the level ground. Calculate the horizontal & vertical components of the
velocity when time is zero. (At the initial position)
10 ft/s cos 30 V0x =
Given: 86.6 ft/s

Solve for the vertical component of the velocity:

V0 = 100 ft/s θ =
30º g = 32 ft/s2 t V0y = V0 Sin θ - g t
=0
V0y = 100 ft/s - 32 ft/s2 (0)

V0 =100 V0y = 50 ft/s

V 0y
θ = 30º

V0x
Figure 2.1.2 The initial velocity V0 = 100ft/s

at this position t = 0 Solve for the velocity :

also, V = V 0
Solve for the horizontal
component of the V = 2
(Vx) + (Vy)
2

velocity:
V0x = V0 cos θ
V 2 2
V = (86.6 ft/s) + (50 ft/s)
0
x
= V = 100 ft/s
Activity 2.1.1

In the above problem, Calculate the horizontal & vertical components of the velocity,
after 1 second. Also, comp ute the velocity at this position.
Given: Solve for the horizontal component of the velocity:
V0 = 100 ft/s θ = V1sx = V0 cos θ
30º g = 32 ft/s2 V1sx =
V1sx =
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Solve for the vertical component of the velocity:

t = 1s
t = 1s at this V1sy = V0 Sin θ - g t
position
V1sy =
V1sy =

Solve for the velocity:

2 2
V = (V1sx) + (V1sy)
Figure 2.1.3 t = 1s V =

V=

2. The horizontal component (Vx) of the velocity is constant at any given

position. This means that it moves at the same speed along the horizontal,
thus, it does NOT accelerate in this direction.

Example 2.2.1
At position 1, if the initial velocity V 0 = 100 lb, the angle θ = 30˚ then, what is the
horizontal component Vx at this position? (refer to figure 2.2.1)

Figure 2.2.1 Different positions of the projectile in the trajectory and the orientation of the horizontal
component of the velocity.

Vx = V0 cos θ
Vx = 10 ft/s cos 30 Vx = 86.6
ft/s
Activity 2.2.1

1. In figure 2.2.1, the projectile is shown in different positions, what is the horizontal
component of the velocity in position 1? What about positions 2, 3, 4 and 5?

Position 1 Vx = _____________________ Position 4 Vx =____________________

Position 2 Vx = _____________________ Position 5 Vx =____________________

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Position 3 Vx = _____________________

2. What do you notice of the values of V ? Why? x

___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________

3 . The vertical component (Vy) of the velocity changes at every given position.
This means that it accelerates uniformly at a rate of 32 ft/s 2 in this direction.

Example 2.3.1
At position 1, if the initial velocity V0 = 100 ft/s, the angle θ = 30˚ and time of
flight t = 0.5s then, what is the vertical component V y at this position? (refer
to the figure 2.3.1)

Figure 2.3.1 Different positions of the projectile in the trajectory and the orientation of the vertical
component of the velocity.

Vy = V0 sin θ -gt
Vy = 100 ft/s sin 30 – 32ft/s2 (0.5s)

Vy = 50 ft/s – 16 ft/s
Vy = 34 ft/s

Activity 2.3.1
1. At position 2, if the initial velocity V0 = 100 ft/s, the angle θ = 30˚ and time of
flight t = 1 s then, what is the vertical component V y at this position? (Show
solution below)

Vy = V0 sin θ -gt

Vy = _______________________________________
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2. What do you notice of the values of V y as the projectile goes vertically upward?
___________________________________________________________________________
_
___________________________________________________________________________
_

4. The direction of the velocity at a given position is always tangent to the

trajectory.

Example 2.4.1
The figure below shows the direction of the velocity (V) with its components Vx
y
V V

V V

Figure 2.4.1 The velocity V is tangent to the curve (trajectory)

V

Activity 2.4.1
and V at different positions along the trajectory.
The diagram below shows a projectile at different positions on the trajectory.
Show the direction of the velocity of the projectile and its components in
each position using arrows.

5. The horizontal and vertical components of the velocity are independent of

each other. This means that the horizontal motion does not affect the
vertical motion and vice versa.

Example 2.5.1
The picture below shows a strobe-light photo of two balls released simultaneously–
one ball drops freely while the other one is projected horizontally. Both balls hit
the floor at the same time since, they only accelerate along the vertical and there
is NO acceleration along the horizontal.
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Figure 2.5.1 The figure shows two balls released from the same height hit the floor
simultaneously.

Activity 2.5.1
Now, do this activity to verify the concept. Refer to figure 2.5.2.
1. Get two stones.
2. Lay them on top of a table preferably at the edge.
3. Push one of the stones horizontally while the other is dropped. Do this
simultaneously (at the same level).
4. Observe what will happen.

Figure 2.5.2.

Answer this!
1. What did you observe?
2. How do you explain your observation?
3. If you push harder the stone along the horizontal, do you get the same result? Why?

Explore
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Before we proceed to Activity 3, I want you to read and understand the comic strip below.
Refer to figure 3.1

Source: http://library.thinkquest.org
Do you get the problem of Mr. Fox, Figure 3.1. Comic Strip can you help him solve the
problem?
To do this, study Example 3.1 then answer Activity 3.1

Example 3.1

A projectile is thrown with an initial velocity of 100 ft/s at an angle of 30˚ above the level 2
ground. If the gravitational acceleration, g is 32 ft/s Calculate the:

1. horizontal component of the initial velocity (v ).

2. vertical component of the initial velocity (v ); 0x
0y

3. initial velocity (v ) 0

4. horizontal component of the velocity after 1 second (v 1sx).

5.6. horizontal component of the velocity after 1 second (vvelocity after 1 second (v );
1sy).

7. horizontal component of the velo1s city at the maximum height /on top (v ).
x

8. vertical component of the velocity at the maximum height /on top (v y).
9. velocity at the maximum height / on top (v).
10. time to reach the maximum height (tup).
11. total time of flight. (t T).
12. maximum height (s ) and
13. range (S ). y
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Figure 3.2 The projectile with initial velocity V0 =100 ft/s at t=0

Solution:
1. Solve for the horizontal component of the initial velocity (V0x) V0x

= V0 Cos 30

V0x = 100 ft/s Cos 30

V0x = 86.6 ft/s 2. Solve for the vertical component of the initial
velocity (V )
0y

V0y = V0 Sin θ - g t

Voy = 100 ft/s sin30 - 32 ft/s2 (0) V0y = 50

ft/s

3. Solve for the initial velocity (V ) 0

2 2
V0 = (Vx) + (Vy)

2 2
V0 = (86.6 ft/s) + (50ft/s)

V0 = 100 ft/s

Figure 3.3 The position of the projectile with velocity V 1s after 1s.

4. Solve for the horizontal component of the velocity after 1 second (V 1sx)
V1sx = v0 cos θ v1sx = 100
ft/s cos 30
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v1sx = 86.6 ft/s

5. Solve for the vertical component of the velocity after 1 second (V )

v1sy = v0 sin θ - g t 1sy

v1sy = 100 ft/s sin30 - 32 ft/s2 (1s)

v1sy = 18 ft/s 6. Solve for the velocity after 1

second (V )
1s

2 2
v1s = (vx) + (vy)

2 2
v1s = (86.6 ft/s) + (18 ft/s)

v1s = 88.45 ft/s

Figure 3.4 The Projectile at the maximum height. The

direction of the velocity is along the horizontal, thus V = V x.
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7. Solve for the horizontal component of the velocity on top (V x)

vx = v0 cos 30 vx = 100 ft/s cos 30 vx = 86.6 ft/s
8. Solve for the vertical component of the velocity on top (Vy) vy = V0 Sin θ

- g t vy = 100 ft/s sin 30 - 32 ft/s2 (1.5625s) * The time to reach the top is 1.5625 s. vy =

9. Solve for the velocity on (V) y

projectile will no longer move upward
thus, it has reached its maximum height.
2
v = 2
(vx) + (vy)
2
v = (86.6 ft/s) + (0) v = 86.6 ft/s

10. Solve for the time to reach the maximum height (t up)

Remember!
The time along the trajectory from the
initial position to the top; the time along the
vertical from the initial position to the top
0 * The zero value for VThis will be discussed in no. 10.shows that the

and the time along the horizontal from the

Figure 3.5 initial position to the midrange are all the same.

Solution: The time along the trajectory is too complicated to compute, so we compute
the time
along the vertical instead since both times are equal. But first we need to review the
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kinematic equations before we solve.

top position
Kinematics equations:
s=vt eq. 1 vy = 0 t =?
up
v1 + v0
v = ----------------- eq. 2
2
v1 - v0 g = -32 ft/s
2
eq. 3
g = -----------------
t
v0y = 50 ft/s
2
2gs = (v1) - (v0)
2 eq. 4
Initial vertical
position
s = v0t + ½ gt
2 eq. 5

v1 - v0
by equation 3: g = -----------------
t
vy - v0y
t = -----------------
up g
0 - 50 ft/s
t up = -------------------------
2
- 32 ft/s

t up =1.5625 s

To solve the total time of flight we combine the time upward and time downward
of the projectile. The time upward equals the time downward.

11. Solve top position

for the
total time
of flight (t )
T

t T = t up +t down

t up t down
t T = 1.5625s + 1.5625s

t T = 3.125s

Initial vertical
position

12 . Solve for the maximum height (s )

y

To solve the maximum height, we consider vertical motion and apply kinematic
equations:
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top position

Vy = 0

s=
?
y

2
V0y = 50 ft/s g = -32 ft/s

Initial vertical
position

Equation 4 2gs = (v ) 2 - (v ) 2

1 0 (vy) 2 - (v0y) 2
Sy = -------------------2g

2
2
(0) - (50 ft/s)
Sy = ------------------------ 2
2 (-32 ft/s )

S = 39.06 ft
y

13. Solve for the range (s )

x

To solve the maximum horizontal distance or the range we consider horizontal motion and
apply kinematic equations.

tx = 1.5625s tx = 1.5625s

initial midrange final

horizontal horizontal
position position

v0x = 86.6 ft/s sx =? v1x = 86.6 ft/s

The total time along the horizontal is equal to the time from the initial position to the
final position.
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tT = tx + tx

tT = 1.5625s +1.5625s tT = 3.1125s * This is the same as the total time of

flight.

Since the motion is constant along the horizontal, the average velocity can be
determined by equation 2:
equation 2

The range can be determined by multiplying the average horizontal velocity and total
time of flight.

s
equation 1 s = v t sx = 86.6 ft/s (3.125s) sx = vx (tT) x =

170.63 ft
Activity 3.1
The problem below is like the Example 3.1 you just learned, only that the angle is changed
to 15º. Solve the problem below and show clear solution.

A projectile is thrown with an initial velocity of 100 ft/s at an angle of 15˚ above the level
ground. Calculate the:

1. horizontal component of the initial velocity (v 0x)

2. vertical component of the initial velocity (v 0y)

3. initial velocity (v0) horizontal component of the velocity after 0.6 second (v 0.6sx) 4.
5. horizontal component of the velocity after 0.6 second (v0.6sy)
6. velocity after 0.6 second (v0.6s)
7. horizontal component of the velocity at the maximum height /on top (v x)
8. vertical component of the velocity at the maximum height /on top (v y)
9. velocity at the maximum height / on top (v)
10. time to reach the maximum height (tup)

11. total time of flight. (t T) 12. maximum height (sy) and 13. range (sx).

Deepen
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Activity 4.1
Now, to reinforce what you have learned, I want you to fill-in the table with the correct
computed values then answer the questions that follow.

Angle (˚) Time of Flight (s) Maximum Height Range (ft)

(ft)
15
30
45
60

1. Which has the longest time of flight?

2. Which has the greatest height?

3. Which has the farthest range?

4. In your P.E. class particularly throwing events like discuss, shot put and javelin,
can you apply what you have learned from this Module? How?

Gauge
A. Choose the letter of the best answer. Write your answer on a separate
sheet of paper.
1. Which of the following is the best example of a projectile?
A. A parked car B. A flying bee
C. A stone thrown into the air D. A piece of tissue paper thrown in the can

2. Which of the following is the best description of projectile?

A. An object which is given an initial velocity, and which is then allowed to move
under the action of air resistance.
B. An object which is given an initial velocity, and which is then allowed to move without
gravity.
C. An object which is given an initial velocity, which can move under the action of gravity
and is affected by air resistance.
D. An object which is given an initial velocity, which can move under the action of
gravity and is NOT affected by air resistance.

3. Which of the following statements is correct?

A. The horizontal component of the velocity has constant speed.
B. The horizontal component of the velocity remains at rest.
C. The horizontal component of the velocity accelerates uniformly.
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D. The horizontal component is always equal to the vertical component of the

velocity.
4. Which equation is used to determine the magnitude of the horizontal component
of the velocity?
A. Vx = V0 sin θ B. Vx = V0 Cos θ
C. Vx = V0 tan θ D. Vx = V0 tan-1 θ

5. Which statement is true about the direction of the velocity? A. The velocity is
directed vertically upward.
B. The velocity is directed along the horizontal.
C. The velocity is directed tangent to the trajectory.
D. The velocity is directed inside the trajectory.

6. When no air resistance acts on a projectile, what will be its horizontal acceleration?
A. g B. zero C. Upward g D. at right angles to g

7. A projectile is thrown at angle 30˚ above the ground with a velocity of 100 ft/s.
what is its time to reach the top.
A. 3.125s B. 1.5625s C. 2.5s D. 0.78s

8. In no. 7, what is the maximum height the projectile could reach?

A. 10.20 ft B. 19.53 ft C. 78.12 ft D. 39.06 ft

9. In no. 7, what `could be its range?

A. 170.63 ft B. 3,125 ft C. 78.12 ft D. 39.06 ft B.

10. Which among the angles has the longest range if they are given the same initial
velocity?
A. 15˚ B. 30˚ C. 45˚ D. 60˚

B. Answer each of the following questions correctly.

11. How does the horizontal component of the velocity differ from the vertical component?

12. How does a piece of rock behave as it travels through open air? What about a piece of
paper?

C. Solve the problem below. Show clear solution. (3 points)

A baseball is batted into the open air and caught at a point 100m distant
horizontally in 4s. If air resistance is neglected, what is its maximum height in
meters above the ground? g = 9.8m/s 2

DAPAT HIMUON:
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Didi an pag butang saim answer sa GAUGE. Ig shade an boxes san napili mo
nga answer. Ayaw didto ibutang im answer sa choices. Butangi ngaran im
module ngan imo section.
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