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Projectile motionEdexcel A-Level Maths: Flashcards

What these 13 flashcards ask

  • List the standard modelling assumptions for a projectile.
  • Initial velocity components for speed U at angle \alpha?
  • What is constant in projectile motion?
  • What is the vertical velocity at the greatest height?
  • Time of flight (level ground)?
  • Greatest height?
  • Range on level ground?
  • Which angle gives the maximum range on level ground?
  • Equation of the path?
  • What shape is the path of a projectile?
  • How do you find the speed at any time?
  • How does ignoring air resistance affect the predicted range?
  • A stone is thrown horizontally. What is its initial vertical velocity?

Exam questions on Projectile motion

  1. A ball is kicked from a point on horizontal ground with speed 2020 m s−1^{-1} at 30∘30^\circ above the horizontal. Model the ball as a particle moving freely under gravity, with no air resistance. Take g=9.8g=9.8 m s−2^{-2}.
    Find the horizontal range of the ball, that is, the distance from the kick to where it first lands.2 marks
  2. A stone is thrown horizontally with speed 1212 m s−1^{-1} from the top of a vertical cliff, 4545 m above the level sea. Model the stone as a particle moving freely under gravity. Take g=9.8g=9.8 m s−2^{-2}.
    Find the speed of the stone as it enters the sea.2 marks
  3. A golf ball is hit from a point on horizontal ground with speed 2525 m s−1^{-1} at an angle α\alpha above the horizontal, where tan⁡α=34\tan\alpha=\frac34. Model the ball as a particle moving freely under gravity, in a vertical plane, with no air resistance. Take g=9.8g=9.8 m s−2^{-2}.
    Find the time of flight of the ball and its horizontal range.3 marks
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Written by the Exaim team, led by Shaun Daswani (Head of Upper Secondary, Improve ME Institute; MSc Financial Mathematics, Imperial College London; BSc, UCL) and Jason Daswani (operational lead, Improve ME Institute; LSE).