Projectile Motion Simulator

Enter the launch angle (degrees) and click Launch:

Projectile Motion

Definition: Projectile motion is the motion of an object that is thrown or projected into the air, moving under the influence of gravity alone (neglecting air resistance).

What is a Projectile?

A projectile is any object that is thrown or projected into the air and then moves under the influence of gravity alone.

Examples of Projectiles

• A stone thrown from the ground
• A bullet fired from a gun
• A football kicked into the air
• Water droplets from a fountain
• An athlete during the high jump

Types of Motion in Projectile

Projectile motion combines two types of motion:

• Horizontal motion – constant velocity, no acceleration
• Vertical motion – accelerated due to gravity (g)

Main Assumptions in Projectile Motion

• The resistance of air is neglected
• The projectile does not lose speed due to air resistance
• Acceleration due to gravity is constant

Applications of Projectile Motion

• Sports: kicking a football, long jump, high jump
• Military: firing bullets, missiles
• Rescue operations: dropping supplies from a plane
• Entertainment: animations and video games use projectile paths

Main Terminology and Equations

Horizontal Motion

Horizontal displacement formula:

x = u_x t

Where: u_x = u cosθ

Vertical Motion

Vertical displacement formula:

y = u_y t - ½ g t²

Where: u_y = u sinθ

From equations of motion

• v = u + at
• s = ut + ½ at²
• v² = u² + 2as

For vertical motion:

v_y² = (u sinθ)² - 2 g y

Key Points

• The path of a projectile is a parabola.
• Horizontal velocity remains constant.
• Vertical velocity changes due to acceleration by gravity.