Horizontal Launches — Constant Vx, Accelerating Vy
Objects launched horizontally undergo projectile motion: a constant horizontal velocity and an accelerating vertical velocity, acting completely independently of each other.
A 10 kg object is dropped from the same height as a 20 kg object. Compare the time they take to hit the ground.
Object Thrown Horizontally
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How many velocities?
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2 velocities
Horizontal velocity — Determined by thrower
Vertical velocity — ??????
…acceleration due to gravity
- have 2 velocities Vx, Vy
- Vx is determined by thrower
- Vx constant (neglect friction)
- Viy = 0 (initial vert. vel.)
- Vy changed by … force of gravity
| time (sec) | Vx (m/s) | Vy (m/s) |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 1 | 4 | 10 |
| 2 | 4 | 20 |
| 3 | 4 | 30 |
Same:
a) ay (+10 m/s2)
b) vertical drop — dy
c) time in air
d) same Vy
Compare each sphere's:
A) height above the ground
B) time in the air
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Show Me The Physics Website
Compare the time it takes for the marbles to hit the ground.
A rock is thrown horizontally from the top of a cliff @ 150 m/s.
a) How long does it take the rock to fall 45 m vertically?
| Horizontal | Vertical |
|---|---|
| Vx = 150 m/s | Viy = 0 (thrown horizontally) |
| t = ? | ay = +9.8 m/s2 |
| dy = 45 m | |
| t = ? |
Same rock, thrown horizontally from the top of a cliff @ 150 m/s.
b) Find the rock's vertical velocity at 45 meters.
| Horizontal Info | Vertical Info |
|---|---|
| Vx = 150 m/s | Viy = 0 (thrown horizontally) |
| ay = +9.8 m/s2 | |
| dy = 45 m | |
| Vfy = ? |
Only X Equation
** dx = Vxt ** (from Vx = dx/t)
dx - Horizontal distance
Vx - horizontal velocity
Same rock, thrown horizontally from the top of a cliff @ 150 m/s.
c) What was the rock's horizontal displacement (dx, a.k.a. Range) after 3.0 seconds?
| Horizontal | Vertical |
|---|---|
| Vx = 150 m/s | Viy = 0 (thrown horizontally) |
| t = 3.0 sec | ay = 9.8 m/s2 |
| dx = ? | dy = 45 m |
| t = 3.0 sec |