Projectile Motion

Question 1

What is projectile motion?

Answer 1

Movement of a body/object through the air following a curved flight path under the force of gravity

Question 2

What is horizontal distance travelled affected by?

Answer 2

Height of release
Speed of release
Angle of release
Aerodynamic factors

Question 3

How does height of release affect distance travelled?

Answer 3

If release height and landing height are the same then 45º is optimal.
If release height is above the landing (javelin) optimal angle is less than 45º
If release height is below landing height (bunker shot) optimal angle of release is more than 45º

Question 4

How does speed of release affect distance travelled?

Answer 4

Greater force applied to a projectile will mean it travels further

Question 5

How does angle of release affect distance travelled?

Answer 5

45º is optimal

Question 6

What are projectiles affected by in flight?

Answer 6

Weight and air resistance
If weight is dominant, parabolic flight path. Eg shot put
If air resistance is dominant, non-parabolic eg shuttlecock

Question 7

What is the definition of Bernoullis Principle?

Answer 7

Creation of an additional lift force on a projectile in flight due to a pressure gradient

Question 8

Explain how Bernoullis principle works?

Answer 8

Air travels faster over the top of a projectile and therefore creates an area of lower pressure above the projectile. Lift gets applied to object when air moves from High (below) to (low).