Projectile motion

Question 1

What is projectile motion

Answer 1

When an object is released through the air, and is subject to gravity, causing a parabolic flight path.

Question 2

There are 2 naturally occurring forces acting on a projectile

Answer 2

AIR RESISTANCE
Important in ski jumping, skydiving, discus, javelin, golf
GRAVITY
Downwards force brings projectile back to the ground

Question 3

The flight path of a projectile is determined by 6 factors:

Answer 3

Its angle of release
Its height of release
Its speed of release
Spin
Gravity (Can’t change)
Air resistance (Athlete can’t change)

Question 4

Angle of release

Answer 4

The angle of release of a projectile determines trajectory shape.
Effects: Time in air and distance
Optimal angle of release for distance = 45⁰

Question 5

Height of release

Answer 5

Many sports involve projecting a ball from a height or from ground level.
The greater the height of release of a projectile, the greater the horizontal distance it will cover.
Release height=landing height = 45° (Kicking soccer ball from ground)
Release height>landing height<45° (Throwing)
Release height<landing>45° (Hitting golf ball onto elevated green)</landing>

Question 6

Velocity at take off

Answer 6

The greater the speed or velocity of release, the greater the distance a projectile will carry.

The speed of release is the most important factor when maximising the distance travelled.

Question 7

Garavity

Answer 7

Downwards force brings projectile back to the ground (“what comes up, must come down”)