Projectile Motion Flashcards
Define projectile.
Any object/body that is launched into the air.
What defines the trajectory?
Centre of mass
What Influences the trajectory of the projectile?
- gravity
- air resistance
What 3 things can success in sports activities depend on in terms of trajectory?
- predicting trajectory e.g catching/striking.
- controlling trajectory e.g throwing/passing to other players.
- maximising aspects of trajectory e.g high/long jump, discus, javelin.
What are the three determinant factors of projection?
- Angle of projection
- Speed of projection
- Height of projection
Define angle of projection.
The angle between the projectile’s velocity vector and the horizontal at the point of release.
Define speed of projection.
Magnitude of the projectile’s velocity vector at the instant of release/take-off.
The greater the speed of projection the greater the apex & range.
What is the formula for horizontal velocity?
Horizontal velocity = horizontal displacement (range)/time in the air (flight time)
What is vertical velocity important in determining?
Height of the apex and time in the air.
Define projection height.
The height of the projection is the difference between the vertical take-off position and the vertical landing position.
Explain a projection height = 0 and give an example.
- parabolic flight path - upwards trajectory=downwards trajectory.
- e.g bouncing balls
- optimal range is produced with a release angle of 45°
Explain and give and example of a projection height > 0.
- trajectory not symmetrical.
- the time to the apex is less than the time to the ground.
- optimal range is produced with angles less than 45°
- e.g shot put, long jump
Explain and give and example of projection height
- trajectory not symmetrical
- initial portion of the parabola is larger than the latter
- the time to the apex is greater than the time to the ground
- least frequent example in sport
- optimal range is produced with angles greater than 45°
- e.g basketball shooting, golf bunker shot
