CAPE Applied Mathematics Unit 2

Topic: Projectiles

Projectile motion can be described as a form of movement done by a body or

particle which is launched at a point of projection where the trajectory or path of
the projectile is parabolic in shape. In the motion of a projectile, there are
significant terms used such as

(i) Range
(ii) Maximum/Greatest Height
(iii) Time of Flight
(iv) Equation of Trajectory

The range can be defined as the horizontal distance covered by the particle from
the initial position to the final position.

The maximum height is attained whenever the vertical component of the velocity
is zero.

The time it takes for the projectile to land is described as the time of flight.

The equation of the trajectory is the path at which the particle travels.

Let us look at projectile motion diagrammatically. The diagram below will be used
where A , B , C and D represents the point of projection, an arbitrary point on the
trajectory, the maximum point and the final position, respectively.

Horizontal Vertical
Movement Movement
ax = 0 ay = − g

vx = u x + a x t v y = u y + a yt
vx = v cos v y = v sin  − gt

1
s x = u xt + axt 2 1
s y = u yt + a yt 2
2 2
sx = vt cos 1
s y = vt sin  − gt 2
2

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Written by: Mr. Garth Reid, Teacher of Pure and Applied Mathematics
 CAPE Applied Mathematics Unit 2
Topic: Projectiles
In kinematics, the first equation of motion is v = u + at where u , v , a and t
represents the initial velocity, final velocity, uniform acceleration and the time
taken respectively.

Using this equation, vy = v sin − gt will represent the force in the y direction
where  is the angle of projection from the horizontal and g is the acceleration
due to gravity. Similarly, vx = v cos will represent the force in the x direction.

1
The second equation of motion in kinematics is s = ut + at 2 where s represents
2
1
the displacement. From this equation, sx = vt cos and s y = vt sin  − gt 2 will
2
represent the displacement in the x and y directions respectively.

When the velocity turns at the point C in the diagram, the vertical component is
v sin 
equal to zero. With that being said, it means that v sin  − gt = 0  t = and
g
this is the time it takes for the particle to reach at the point C .

If H represents the maximum height in the diagram of the trajectory, then

1 v sin 
H = vt sin  − gt 2 but recall that t = . So evidently
2 g

2
 v sin   1  v sin  
H = v  sin  − g  
 g  2  g 
v 2 sin 2  v 2 sin 2 
= −
g 2g
2v 2 sin 2  − v 2 sin 2 
=
2g
v 2 sin 2 
H=
2g

The range which is represented by AD in the diagram will be denoted by R . Since

the trajectory of a projectile is parabolic in shape it means that there is an axis of
symmetry which cuts the point C vertically. Therefore, the time of flight can be
2v sin 
given as t = . If R = vt cos then clearly
g

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Written by: Mr. Garth Reid, Teacher of Pure and Applied Mathematics
 CAPE Applied Mathematics Unit 2
Topic: Projectiles

 2v sin  
R = v  cos
 g 
2v sin  cos 
2
=
g
v 2 sin ( 2 )
R=
g

The particle passes through any point ( x, y ) on the trajectory where x = vt cos
1
and y = vt sin  − gt 2 respectively. From the first equation it implies that
2
x
t= . When this value of t is substituted into y then the following result is
v cos
obtained, which gives the equation of the trajectory.

2
 x  1  x 
y = v  sin  − g  
 v cos  2  v cos 
x sin  gx 2
y= −
cos 2v 2 cos 2 

1
Because of the trigonometric identities: = sec2  , 1 + tan 2  = sec2  and
cos 
2

sin 
= tan  , the equation of the trajectory can also be written as
cos
gx 2 sec 2  gx 2
y = x tan  − 2
or y = x tan  − 2 (1 + tan 2  ) .
2v 2v

Summary
v 2 sin ( 2 )
Horizontal Range: R=
g

v 2 sin 2 
Greatest Height: H=
2g
2v sin 
Time of Flight: t=
g

gx 2 gx 2
2 (
Equation of Path: y = x tan  − or y = x tan  − 1 + tan 2  )
2v cos 
2 2
2v

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Written by: Mr. Garth Reid, Teacher of Pure and Applied Mathematics
 CAPE Applied Mathematics Unit 2
Topic: Projectiles
e.g. 1: A football is kicked at an angle of 30 degrees above the horizontal with a
velocity of 30 ms -1 . Taking Take g to be 10 ms −2 , Calculate the

(i) Time to reach the maximum height

(ii) Time for the range
(iii) Maximum height reached by the football
(iv) Range of the football

Solutions

(i)
v sin 
t=
g
30sin ( 30 )
=
10
t = 1.5 s

(ii)
2v sin 
t=
g
2 ( 30 ) sin ( 30 )
=
10
t =3 s

(iii)
v 2 sin 2 
H=
2g
( 30 ) sin 2 ( 30 )
2

=
2 (10 )
H = 11.25 m

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Written by: Mr. Garth Reid, Teacher of Pure and Applied Mathematics
 CAPE Applied Mathematics Unit 2
Topic: Projectiles
(iv)
v 2 sin ( 2 )
R=
g
( 30 ) sin ( 60 )
2

=
10
R = 45 3 m

e.g. 2: A golfer hits a golf ball from a point W , to a point Z . Z is on the same
horizontal level as W . The ball is projected from W at a speed of 95 meters per
second, and at angle of   above the horizontal.

(i) Given the ball hits the ground at Z which is 750 meters from W ,
calculate the two possible values of  .

(ii) Given that  = 30 , calculate the times when the ball is 100 meters above
the ground.

Solutions
Sketch diagram here

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Written by: Mr. Garth Reid, Teacher of Pure and Applied Mathematics
 CAPE Applied Mathematics Unit 2
Topic: Projectiles
(i)
v 2 sin ( 2 )
R=
g
( 95)sin ( 2 )
2

750 =
10
7500 = 9025sin ( 2 )
300
= sin ( 2 )
361
 300 
2 = sin −1  
 361 

2 = 56.204 or 2 = 180 − 56.204

 = 28.1 or  = 61.9

(ii)
1
H = vt sin  − gt 2
2

1
100 = 95t sin ( 30 ) − (10 ) t 2
2

100 = 47.5t − 5t 2

5t 2 − 47.5t + 100 = 0

− ( −47.5 )  ( −47.5) − 4 ( 5 )(100 )

2

t=
2 ( 5)

47.5  256.25
=
10

47.5  16.00781
=
10

t = 6.35 s or t = 3.15 s

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Written by: Mr. Garth Reid, Teacher of Pure and Applied Mathematics
 CAPE Applied Mathematics Unit 2
Topic: Projectiles
3
e.g. 3: The equation of motion of a projectile is given by y = 12 x − x 2 . Calculate
4
the range of the projectile.

Solution

When the object hits the ground, y = 0 .

3 2
Let 12 x − x =0
4
48 x − 3 x 2 = 0
3 x (16 − x ) = 0

Either 3x = 0  x = 0 or 16 − x = 0  x = 16

Therefore, the range of the projectile is 16 meters.

e.g. 4: A particle is projected from a point which is 2 meters above ground level
with a velocity of 40 m/s at an angle of 45 degrees to the horizontal. Calculate the
horizontal distance from the point of projection to when it hits the ground.

Solution
Sketch diagram here

Page | 7
Written by: Mr. Garth Reid, Teacher of Pure and Applied Mathematics
 CAPE Applied Mathematics Unit 2
Topic: Projectiles
gx 2
y = x tan  − 2
2v cos 2 
10 x 2
= x tan ( 45 ) −
2 ( 40 ) cos ( 45 )
2

10 x 2
= x−
1600
x2
y=x−
160

Let y = −2

x2
x− = −2
160
160 x − x 2 = −320
x 2 − 160 x − 320 = 0

− ( −160 )  ( −160 ) − 4 (1)( −320 )

2

x=
2 (1)
160  26880
=
2
160  163.951
=
2
x = 161.98 or x = −1.98

Therefore, the horizontal distance is 161.98 meters.

e.g. 5: A gun has a muzzle velocity of 200 m/s. Calculate the

(i) Horizontal range of the gun when the angle of projection is 30 degrees.

(ii) Maximum horizontal range of the gun.

Page | 8
Written by: Mr. Garth Reid, Teacher of Pure and Applied Mathematics
 CAPE Applied Mathematics Unit 2
Topic: Projectiles
Solutions

(i)

v 2 sin ( 2 )
R=
g
( 200 )
sin ( 60 )
2

=
10
R = 3464 m

(ii)

The maximum horizontal range occurs when  = 45 .

( 200 )sin ( 90 )

2

R=
10
R = 4000 m

e.g. 6: A particle is projected from a point O with an initial speed of 30 m/s to pass
through a point which is 40 meters from O horizontally and 10 meters above O .
Show that 8tan 2  − 36tan  + 17 = 0 .

Solution
Sketch diagram here

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Written by: Mr. Garth Reid, Teacher of Pure and Applied Mathematics
 CAPE Applied Mathematics Unit 2
Topic: Projectiles

gx 2
y = x tan  − 2 (1 + tan 2  )
2v

Let x = 40 and y = 10

10 ( 40 )
2

10 = 40 tan  −
2 ( 30 )
2 (1 + tan  )
2

10 = 40 tan  −
80
9
(1 + tan 2  )

80 80 2
10 = 40 tan  − − tan 
9 9

90 = 360 tan  − 80 − 80 tan 2 

−80 tan 2  + 360 tan  − 80 = 90

−80 tan 2  + 360 tan  − 170 = 0

−80 2 360 170

tan  + tan  − =0
10 10 10

−8 tan 2  + 36 tan  − 17 = 0

8 tan 2  − 36 tan  + 17 = 0

Shown

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Written by: Mr. Garth Reid, Teacher of Pure and Applied Mathematics
 CAPE Applied Mathematics Unit 2
Topic: Projectiles
e.g. 7: A fielder can throw a cricket ball faster at low angles than at high angles.
This is modelled by assuming that, at an angle  , he can throw a ball with a speed
of k cos ms -1 , where k is a constant.

2k 2
Show that the horizontal distance he can throw is given by
g
( sin  − sin 3  ) .

Solution

v 2 sin ( 2 )
R=
g

(k ) sin ( 2 )
2
cos
=
g
k 2 cos ( 2sin  cos )
=
g
2k 2 sin  cos 2 
=
g
2k 2 sin  (1 − sin 2  )
=
g
2k 2
R=
g
( sin  − sin 3  )

Shown

e.g. 8: A particle P is projected with speed u ms-1 at an angle of  above the

horizontal from a point O on a horizontal plane and moves freely under gravity.
The horizontal and vertical displacements of P from O at a subsequent time t
seconds are denoted by x meters and y meters respectively.

(i) Show that the equation of the trajectory is given by

gx 2
y = x tan  − 2 (1 + tan 2  )
2u

In the subsequent motion, P passes through the point with coordinates ( 30,20)

4
(ii) Given that one possible value of tan  is , find the other possible value
3
of tan  .
Page | 11
Written by: Mr. Garth Reid, Teacher of Pure and Applied Mathematics
 CAPE Applied Mathematics Unit 2
Topic: Projectiles
Solutions

(i)
1
s x = u xt + a xt 2
2
1
= ( u cos  ) t + (0)t 2
2
sx = ut cos 

1
s y = u yt + a yt 2
2
1
= ( u sin  ) t + (−g )t2
2
1
s y = ut sin  − gt 2
2

 1 
So, the particle P passes through the point ( x, y ) =  ut cos , ut sin  − gt 2  .
 2 

x 1
If x = ut cos   t = . Substitute t into y , where y = ut sin  − gt 2 .
u cos  2

2
 x  1  x 
y = u  sin  − g 
 u cos   2  u cos  
x sin  1  x2 
= − g 2 
cos  2  u cos 2  
x sin  gx 2
= − 2
cos  2u cos 2 
gx 2  1 
= x tan  − 2  
2u  cos 2  
gx 2
= x tan  − 2 sec 2 
2u

 y = tan  − 2 (1 + tan 2  )
gx 2
2u

Shown

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Written by: Mr. Garth Reid, Teacher of Pure and Applied Mathematics
 CAPE Applied Mathematics Unit 2
Topic: Projectiles
(ii)
gx 2
2 (
y = tan  − 1 + tan 2  )
2u

Let x = 30 and y = 20

10 ( 20 )
2

20 = 30 tan  −
2u 2 (1 + tan 2  )

2 (
1 + tan 2  )
4500
20 = 30 tan  −
u

4500 4500 2
20 = 30 tan  − − 2 tan 
u2 u

20u 2 = 30u 2 tan  − 4500 − 4500 tan 2 

4500 tan 2  − 30u 2 tan  + 4500 + 20u 2  = 0

2
4 4
4500   − 30u 2   + 4500 + 20u 2  = 0
3 3

8000 − 40u 2 + 4500 + 20u 2 = 0

12500 − 20u 2 = 0

u 2 = 625

u = + 625

u = 25 ms -1

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Written by: Mr. Garth Reid, Teacher of Pure and Applied Mathematics
 CAPE Applied Mathematics Unit 2
Topic: Projectiles


 4500 tan 2  − 30 ( 25 ) tan  + 4500 + 20 ( 25 )
2 2
=0
4500 tan 2  − 18750 tan  + 17000 = 0

4500 2 18750 17000

tan  − tan  + =0
250 250 250

18 tan 2  − 75 tan  + 68 = 0

− ( −75 )  ( −75 ) − 4 (18 )( 68 )

2

tan  =
2 (18 )
75  729
=
36
75  27
=
36
75 + 27 75 − 27
tan  = or tan  =
36 36
17 4
tan  = or tan  =
6 3

e.g. 9: A particle is projected with speed u at an angle  above the horizontal from
a point O on a horizontal plane. The particle moves freely under gravity.

(i) Write down the horizontal and vertical components of the velocity of the
particle at time T after projection.

At time T after projection, the direction of motion of the particle is perpendicular

to the direction of projection.

(ii) Express T in terms of u , g and  .

u
(iii) Deduce that T  .
g

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Written by: Mr. Garth Reid, Teacher of Pure and Applied Mathematics
 CAPE Applied Mathematics Unit 2
Topic: Projectiles
Solutions
Sketch diagram here

(i) vx = ux + axt and ax = 0 . Therefore vx = u cos 

vy = u y + a yt and a y = − g . Therefore vy = u sin  − gt

uy vx
(ii) tan  = and tan  =
ux −v y

uy vx
Let =−
ux vy

u sin  u cos 
=−
u cos  u sin  − gt

−u 2 cos 2  = u 2 sin 2  − gt ( u sin  )

gt ( u sin  ) = u 2 cos 2  + u 2 sin 2 
gt ( u sin  ) = u 2 ( cos 2  + sin 2  )
gt ( u sin  ) = u 2
u2
t=
gu sin 
u
t=
g sin 

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Written by: Mr. Garth Reid, Teacher of Pure and Applied Mathematics
 CAPE Applied Mathematics Unit 2
Topic: Projectiles
u
(iii) T=
g sin 

( g sin  )T = u
u
sin  =
gT

−1  sin   1

u
−1  1
gT

u
Using 1
gT
u  gT
u
T
g
u
T 
g

Deduced

e.g. 10: A particle P is projected with speed 25 ms −1 at an angle of  above the

horizontal from a point O on a horizontal plane and moves freely under gravity.
After 2 seconds the speed of P is 15 ms −1 .

(i) Find the value of sin 

(ii) Calculate the range of the flight

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Written by: Mr. Garth Reid, Teacher of Pure and Applied Mathematics
 CAPE Applied Mathematics Unit 2
Topic: Projectiles
Solutions
Sketch diagram here

(i)
vx = u x + a x t
vx = 25cos

v y = u y + a yt
v y = 25sin  − 2 g

( 25cos ) + ( 25sin  − 2 g ) = (15 )

2 2 2

625cos 2  + 625sin 2  − 100 g sin  + 4 g 2 = 225

625 ( cos 2  + sin 2  ) − 100 g sin  + 4 g 2 − 225 = 0

−100 g sin  + 4 g 2 − 225 + 625 = 0

−1000sin  + 800 = 0

−1000 800
sin  + =0
200 200

−5sin  + 4 = 0

4
sin  =
5

Page | 17
Written by: Mr. Garth Reid, Teacher of Pure and Applied Mathematics
 CAPE Applied Mathematics Unit 2
Topic: Projectiles
(ii)
4
sin  =
5
4
 = sin −1  
5  

v 2 sin ( 2 )
R=
g
  4 
( 25 ) sin 2sin −1   
2

  5 
=
10
R = 60 m

PAST PAPER QUESTIONS

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Written by: Mr. Garth Reid, Teacher of Pure and Applied Mathematics
 CAPE Applied Mathematics Unit 2
Topic: Projectiles

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Written by: Mr. Garth Reid, Teacher of Pure and Applied Mathematics