Projectile Motion Flashcards
What is projectile motion?
The movement of a body through the air following a curved flight path under the force of gravity
What is a projectile?
A body launched into the air and subjected to weight and air resistance forces
How does the speed of release affect projectile motion?
The 2nd Law of Motion means a greater force = greater acceleration of the projectile into the air = the further the projectile will travel
How will a 90 degree release angle affect projectile motion?
The projectile will accelerate vertically and come straight back down to the ground
How will a 45 degree release angle affect projectile motion?
Horizontal distance in maximised
How will a release angle greater than 45 degrees affect projectile motion?
Projectile will reach peak height too quickly and rapidly return to the ground
How will a release height less than 45 degrees affect projectile motion?
Sufficient height isn’t achieved to maximise flight time
What is a positive relative release height?
A release height above landing height
What is a negative relative release height?
A release height below landing height
What is the effect of a positive relative release height?
Increased flight time and optimal angle off release is less than 45 degrees
What is the effect of a negative relative release height?
The optimal angle of release is greater than 45 degrees because the projectile needs increased flight time to overcome the obstacle
What is a parabola?
A uniform curve symmetrical about it’s highest point
What is a parabolic flight path?
A flight path symmetrical about it’s highest point caused by the dominant weight force of a projectile
What is a non-parabolic flight path?
A flight path asymmetrical about its highest point caused by the dominant force of air resistance of the projectile
What are the 3 phases of projectile motion, before the projectile is accelerated by gravity to the ground?
- Start of flight
- Mid flight
- End of flight
What does a parallelogram of forces show?
The resultant (NET) force acting on a body
What is the Bernoulli Principle?
A lift force on a projectile in flight resulting from higher velocity of air flow and lower surrounding pressure
What is an aerofoil shape?
A curved upper surface and a flat lower surface
What happens when air moves underneath the aerofoil shape?
Air travels a shorter distance meaning higher pressure and lower velocity
What happens when air moves over the aerofoil shape?
Air travels a longer distance meaning lower pressure but greater velocity
How do F1 cars remain on the floor at high speeds?
They reverse the Bernoulli principle and create a ‘downwards lift force’
What is the Magnus effect?
The creation of additional Magnus force on a spinning projectile which deviates the flight path
What is Magnus Force?
A force created from a pressure gradient on opposing surfaces of a spinning body moving through the air
How is spin created?
Applying an external force outside of the centre of mass?
What is topspin?
An eccentric force is applied above the centre of mass that will cause a downwards spin around the transverse axis
What is backspin?
An eccentric force applied below the centre of mass that will cause a spin upwards around the transverse axis
What is a hook?
An eccentric force applied right of the centre of mass that will cause a spin left around the longitudinal axis
What is a slice?
An eccentric force applied left of the centre of mass that will spin right around the longitudinal axis
What is the effect of Magnus force on topspin?
A downwards Magnus force will shorten the flight path
What is the effect of Magnus force on backspin?
Upwards Magnus force will lengthen the flight path
What is the effect of Magnus force on sidespin?
Magnus force swerves the flight path
