What is Projectile: Definition and 1000 Discussions

A projectile is any object thrown by the exertion of a force. It can also be defined as an object launched into the space and allowed to move free under the influence of gravity and air resistance. Although any object in motion through space (for example a thrown baseball, kicked football, fired bullet, thrown arrow, stone released from catapult) may be called projectiles, they are commonly found in warfare and sports. Mathematical equations of motion are used to analyze projectile trajectories.

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  1. K

    Projectile motion motorcycle question

    Homework Statement A motorcycle daredevil wants to ride up a 50.0m ramp set at a 30.0 θ incline to the ground. It will launch him in the air and he wants to come down so he just misses the last of a number of 1.00 m diameter barrels. If the speed at the instant when he leaves the ramp is 60.0...
  2. K

    Physics projectile motion question

    Homework Statement a gold ball is hit with an initial velocity of 52m/s at an angle of 50 degrees How long is it in the air Homework Equations Sin=opp/hyp Cos=adj/hyp D=vt+1/2at^2 The Attempt at a Solution First I split the vector into its vertical and horizontal components sin50=x/52...
  3. Elvis 123456789

    Projectile Motion in an Electric field

    Homework Statement Protons are projected with an initial speed of v0 = 10^5 m/s into a region in which a uniform electric field E = 800N/C [down] is present. The protons are to hit a target that lies a horizontal distance of 10.0 mm from the point at which the protons are launched. a) find the...
  4. F

    Projectile motion maximization

    Hello Forum, I am aware that in order to maximize the time of flight, for an object being launched from a certain level and returning to the same level, the launching angle must be theta=90 degrees. To maximize range instead (same level to same level) the angle should be theta=45 degrees (no...
  5. M

    Projectiles in space: Calculating initial velocity

    This question is on space and projectiles. It is about comet 67P/ Churyumov-Gerasimenko and the Rosetta/ Philae lander. Question: 67P has a gravitational field strength of 5.2x10^5 N/Kg. After Philae bounced it took 1 hour 50 minutes to reland. Calculate the initial velocity of Philae. Does this...
  6. Dietrichw

    Projectile and Uniform Circular Motion

    Homework Statement An object is launched horizontally from the highest peak on the Moon's surface. Calculate (a) the launch speed required so that the object travels completely around the Moon and returns to its original position, and (b) the time required to return to the launch point. Assume...
  7. B

    Projectile Motion Soccer Ball Problem

    Homework Statement I saw this in a video about solving projectile motion problems and I was confused, I think I may have seen the same thing in my textbook:The question says: A soccer player on a level playing field kicks a soccer ball with a velocity of 9.4 m/s at an angle of 40 degrees above...
  8. I

    Air Cannon School Project Firing Paper Projectile

    Hey guys building an air cannon for class that shoots a wad of paper from a normal sheet of 8.5/11 paper will be dry. Question is... Is Psi more important or CFM with this light weight projectile? Plan on building from PVC, can do 100psi easy. Plan on using a diaphragm valve with a solenoid for...
  9. CapnKrump

    Projectile Motion: Determine v_0 to go over a fence

    Homework Statement You're the new home run hitter for a baseball team. Your job is to hit the ball over a fence D away and H high. For a given angle θ calculate the speed with which the ball must be hit v0 to go over the top of the fence. Homework Equations 1. y = y0+(v0*sinθ)-½gt2 2. x =...
  10. kiwaho

    Can a powerful projectile electron drill through nucleus?

    For example, a cosmic electron projectile at 1TeV, is it possible to fly through a nucleus just like a bullet drills through a cake and makes the cake insensible recoil? After drill-trough, the electron may have some deviation from incident direction because the route may not exactly pass the...
  11. C

    Projectile Motion Ball throw Question

    Homework Statement Someone throws a ball 1m from the ground at a 30 degree angle to the corner of the room 8m away and elevated by 1m. Find the initial velocity of the ball. Homework Equations s=ut+1/2at^2 The Attempt at a Solution So i broke it up into vector components in order to find the...
  12. N

    Help with Projectile motion- equation problem

    Homework Statement A projectile is launched horizontally with an initial velocity v0 from a height h. If it is assumed that there is no air resistance, which of the following expressions represents the vertical trajectory of the projectile? (A) h–gv0^2/2x^2 (B) h–gv0^2x^2 (C) h-gx^2/2v0^2 (D)...
  13. D

    Need help finding final speed of a projectile

    Homework Statement Golf ball struck with a velocity of 66 ft/s. Part a): determine the speed at which the ball hits point B. Part b): determine the time of flight from A to B. Homework Equations For Part b): (Vo)x = Vcos(θ) (Vo)y = Vsin(θ) D = Do + (Vo)x * t Y = Yo...
  14. Y

    The Energy of Railgun's projectile

    I'm making a simple railgun. and I'll charge capacitors(330v, 1000uF) for railgun's power source. but I just have a question. the railgun's projectile is about 20g, and rail is about 20cm(height) how can I get the projectile's speed(in end of the rail)? or projectile's kinetic energy? (don't...
  15. K

    Projectile Motion Cat Ledge Problem Solution

    Homework Statement A cat leaps over a 1.5m wall with a speed of 15m/s and at an angle of 35 degrees. The cat lands on the edge of a ledge that is 1.5m tall, how far is the ledge from the wall? Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution I used the range equation to find the entire horizontal...
  16. T

    Projectile motion related problem

    Homework Statement Julie throws a ball to her friend Sarah. The ball leaves Julie's hand a distance 1.5 meters above the ground with an initial speed of 18 m/s at an angle 39 degrees with respect to the horizontal. Sarah catches the ball 1.5 meters above the ground. 5) After catching the...
  17. J

    Projectile trajectory problem with constraint

    Homework Statement http://imgur.com/RDMG4Pj Link to drawn out problem^ The ball goes through the hoop NOT at the peak, but rather on it's downward path. It's asking for the total x-displacement, launch angle (theta), and the total flight time. It must me solved WITHOUT using the range...
  18. Y

    Angular momentum in projectile motion

    Homework Statement Is angular momentum of a projectile in projectile motion conserved ?[/B]Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution Gravitional force vector is acting along direction of displacement vector. Thus external torque is 0. Thus angular momentum is conserved throughout projectile...
  19. M

    What Are the Optimal Launch Angles for a Projectile to Pass Through an Opening?

    Homework Statement A projectile is to be launched by a marksman through an opening in a wall which is 40 m away over a flat ground. The lowest part of the opening on the wall is 30 m above the ground and the opening’s gap is 10m high. The mechanism for launching the projectile generates an...
  20. C

    Problem regarding projectile motion on a inclined plane

    Homework Statement A projectile is thrown on an inclination plane with incline angle phi with an inital velocity V0 on an angle theta. Find the range of the projectile; treat the hypotenuse of the inclined plane as the x-axis. For what value of initial velocity angle is the range maximum, and...
  21. C

    How Do You Calculate Minimum and Maximum Velocities in Projectile Motion?

    PROBLEM REGARDING PROJECTILE MOTION 1. I have to find the implicit equation for minimum and maximum initial velocity needed in order for water to end up in the reservoir. I have tried solving it by firstly expressing flight time from the equation for range of projectile (time in terms of D and...
  22. Rumplestiltskin

    Projectile Motion Practice Problems | Calculate Distance and Maximum Height

    Homework Statement A golfer is about to hit a golf ball from a tee to a hole on the green. The tee and the green are at the same level. The golfer hits the ball, projecting it at a speed of 35 m/s 28° to the horizontal. Air resistance is negligible. Calculate: a) the horizontal distance...
  23. I

    Where brick hits ground after sliding off a roof w/ friction

    Homework Statement Brick is sliding off a roof, starts at the peak of the roof (7.0 m above ground), slides down roof with kinetic friction value of 0.28, very edge of roof is 4.0 m above ground. Where does the brick land on the ground? Please see image - http://imgur.com/wNdtlWD Homework...
  24. Ryaners

    Using Python to calculate projectile motion with resistance

    I'm trying to write a program to calculate the trajectory of a projectile with air resistance. I've made the following function which calculates the position of the particle based on a given launch angle and initial velocity: def traj_fr(angle, v0): #function that computes...
  25. qq545282501

    Projectile motion after a flying helical path

    Homework Statement A bird flew along a helical path r(t)=<5cost,5sint,2t>, at time t=10 second, the bird died instantly. where did it hit the xy-plane ? g=32 ft/s/s. Homework Equations r(t)=(v_0 \cos\theta t) i+(v_0 \sin\theta t - 0.5gt^2 + h_0) j The Attempt at a Solution taking derivative...
  26. P

    Kinematics Projectile Question

    I'll admit that I'm not an undergraduate(I'm in high school), but I do have a kinematic question that I'm extremely curious about. I basically would like to ask what affects the motion of a projectile, and make it stray from its path. So if I a projectile(let's use a rocket) is flying downward...
  27. B

    Why is a projectile a parabola not a semicircle

    This sounds like a dumb question. I have come to accept projectiles form parabolas but I need someone to explain why they form this shape
  28. I

    Sphere Rolling Down Hill into Projectile Motion

    Homework Statement Mountaineers are simulating a massive avalanche snowball by using a big Styrofoam ball (m = 75 kg; r = 1.50 m).They give it an initial impulse of 1500 kg m/sto start it rolling down the hill without slipping (no snow sticks to the ball, and ignore air resistance). Near the...
  29. T

    Would a 10km/s projectile disintegrate at sea level?

    Assuming you could fire a projectile at 10km/s. Polished aluminum, almost solid, same size and shape as an artillery shell. Most people say it would disintegrate due to the friction at sea level. But would it really? I heard someone say it would just ablate some of the aluminum. And that 1700...
  30. T

    Projectile Motion: Exploring Energies & Forces

    Homework Statement Questions: 1. What can be said about the energies of the projectiles launched at different angles? Explain. 2. Will the projectiles launched at different angles hit the ground with the same force or with different forces? Explain.Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution
  31. H

    Min Angle Projectile questions

    Homework Statement whats the minimum angles to the vertical(theta) for a projectile(ball) to be realeased with speed v such that at any point of time the distance to the ball is increasing. Homework Equations Sh=vtsin(theta) Sv=vtcos(theta)-0.5gt^2 The Attempt at a Solution so i used...
  32. D

    Comp Sci [JAVA GUI] Counting the trajectory of a projectile not shown

    Hello PFers, I'm trying to make a program in java which process user's position, initial velocity of the projectile and the elevation of the projectile and show the trajectory in GUI. The language is in java. The problem is, the trajectory won't show. It is supposed to show the player's...
  33. N

    Calculating the velocity of a target and embedded projectile

    Homework Statement A projectile of mass 100g, moving at a speed of 400m/s, collides with a stationary wooden target of mass 1.5kg which is free to move. The projectile enters the wooden target on impact and remains embedded in it. Homework Equations a) calculate the velocity of the target and...
  34. Erkan Tur

    Projectile Motion - A classical mechanics problem

    In Matrix, Morpheus shows how to jump. He jumps easily, but Neo falls in his first jump. Morpheus’ jump takes 4 s and Neo’s fall takes 7 s. Distance between the buildings as L and height as h and consider that Neo falls at the middle of the distances, L/2. If both 1 of them know a bit of...
  35. REVIANNA

    Classical mechanics: Projectile Motion

    Homework Statement Two projectiles are launched simultaneously from the same point above the flat terrain. The initial speeds of the projectiles are the same. Each projectile’s velocity makes the same angle with the horizontal. However, projectile A is launched above the horizontal and...
  36. L

    Projectile Problem: How to Find Distance of Ball Launched at 30 Degrees

    Homework Statement A ball is launched at 30 degrees. How far away will it land if dy= 56.2m (height of launch) Homework Equations t=vy/g The Attempt at a Solution t=vy/9.8m/s I can't figure out how to find either vy or t
  37. X

    Collision with projectile and block attached to spring

    Homework Statement A projectile of mass m = 50g traveling at v0 = 20m/s hits a block of mass M = 450g. The block rests on a frictionless horizontal surface and is attached to a spring of force constant k = 2000N/m. The projectile ricochets backward off the block with speed v’ = 0.6v0. The...
  38. vetgirl1990

    Calculating angle of projectile to hit target

    Homework Statement A projectile is launched from an origin (0cm,0cm) on a tilted plane. The plane makes 30 degrees with the horizontal. The launcher sends the ball with a speed of 0.2m/s. At what angle should the projectile be launched to hit the target at (0.7m,0.6m) location? Assume there...
  39. Tzabcan

    Projectile Motion -- the landing of a rubber duck....

    Homework Statement Calculate the magnitude and direction of the velocity of the rubber duck the second it lands? Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution I'm confused, surely if it has landed then it has no magnitude or direction? as the object is now stationary.
  40. C

    Projectile Motion Long Jump Question

    Homework Statement Ms. Bongiorno is competing in the Olympics in the long jump. She jumps 7.59m horizontally and is in the air for 0.72s. a) With what speed did she jump? b) At what angle did she jump? Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution My attempt at the solution is shown below. Can...
  41. Ryaners

    Basic kinematics: projectile motion

    This is a really basic problem but the answers I've gotten don't match up with the back of the book. I've been over it several times & can't understand where I'm going wrong - any pointers would be much appreciated! 1. Homework Statement A physics book slides off a horizontal tabletop with a...
  42. A

    Projectile Motion - Center of Mass

    Homework Statement In a fireworks display a rocket is launched from the ground with a speed of 18.0m/s and a direction of 51.0 above the horizontal. During the flight, the rocket explodes into two pieces of equal mass. What horizontal distance from the launch point will the center of mass of...
  43. B

    How Does Water Pressure Affect the Initial Velocity in Projectile Motion?

    [mod note: post moved into homework forum, so template is absent] G'day, I have an open ended investigation to do for school, and was wanting to do an experiment involving the motion of water from a hose, as this would give me a good parabolic curve to view. I wish to examine two independant...
  44. Rumplestiltskin

    Projectile Motion: Salmon Jumping a Waterfall - Calculating Minimum Speed Needed

    Hi all. I just recently dropped psychology for physics so this topic as a whole has me stumped and the textbook isn't helping. I'll be using this thread for any questions that arise pertaining to projectile motion (so more than one), if that's cool? Should be really basic. Thanks. 1. Homework...
  45. O

    Projectile Motion: Finding the Maximum Height of a Football

    A football is kicked from a tee to start the football game. If the ball is kicked at a 38 degree angle with an initial velocity of 27.1 m/s, Find the maximum height of the football as it flies through the air. I was using these equations: Voy = Vo(sine of theta) Vy = Voy + at y = 1/2(a)(t^2)...
  46. A

    What is causing confusion in solving for projectile motion?

    Hello, I am a first year science teacher doing my best with teaching physics for the first time (my degree is chemistry but I am in a very small school). I am teaching projectile motion. I was creating a worksheet and trying to solve a problem I made up when I realized something wasn't working...
  47. hawkeye1029

    Projectile Launched at an Angle: Velocity

    Homework Statement A bridge rises 321 m above the water. Supposed Jack kicks the rock horizontally off the bridge. The magnitude of the rock's horizontal displacement is 45.0 m. Find the speed at which the rock was kicked. Homework Equations Kinematics I think? v = vo + at Δx = vot + 0.5at2 v2...
  48. W

    Projectile Motion: Finding Final Vertical Velocity

    Homework Statement A backpacker throws a rock horizontally off of a cliff with an initial velocity of 11.7 m/s, and the rock lands 17.3 m away from the base of the cliff. What is the final vertical velocity of the rock? Round your answer to 2 decimal places. Homework Equations Δd = vot +...
  49. N

    Projectile Motion Analyzation Problem

    Homework Statement A cannonball is fired out of a cannon at 45 m/s at an angle theta in the positive x direction 500 meters away from a car moving in the positive x at a constant 20 m/s. At what distance does the cannonball hit the car? Homework Equations I am unsure of how I would solve...
  50. R

    Understanding Projectile Motion: Definitions and Concepts

    QUESTION REMOVED
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