# Projectile Motion- Jumping off Cliffs

Projectile Motion Problems:

The problems based on the projectile motion can be of following types:

1. The initial height of the projectile is lower than the final height of the projectile. In the given figure, the initial height of projectile is A and final height is B, which is a higher point relative to A.

2. The initial height of the projectile is greater than the final height of the projectile. The initial height of projectile i.e. A is higher with respect to the final height of projectile i.e. B.

3. The initial and final height of the projectile is same. The initial height A of the projectile is same as the final height B of the projectile as shown in the figure.

Let us now solve a few projectile motion problems based on these cases.

Problem 1: An angry bird is launched with an initial velocity of $$10√2 m/s$$ at an angle of $$45^{\circ}$$ as shown. Determine the time in which it will hit the pig on the wooden platform. Assume the acceleration due to gravity is $$10 m/s^2$$.

Solution: From the data given in the problem,

Component of velocity in x direction,

$$v_{ox}~=~v_o~cos~θ~=~10√2~cos~45^{\circ}~=~10 ~m/s$$

Component of velocity in y-direction,

$$v_{oy}~=~v_o~sin~θ~=~10√2~sin~45^{\circ}~=~10~ m/s$$

As there is no acceleration in the horizontal direction and the velocity in the horizontal direction is constant. Also, the distance traveled in horizontal direction or range is given as $$10 m$$.

Since, $$Range~=~velocity~×~time$$

$$⇒~10~=~10t$$

$$⇒~t~=~1~ sec$$

This is the time required for the bird to reach the wooden platform, which is at a height of $$15 ~m$$ from the ground as given.

Now, will the bird even hit the pig? Let us try to figure that out.

The distance traveled by the projectile in the y-direction is at the end of 1 sec will be:

$$s_y~=~ v_{oy}~ t~ +~\frac{1}{2}~ a_y t^2$$

$$⇒~s_y~=~10(1)~-~\frac{1}{2}~ 10(1)^2$$

$$⇒~s_y~=~5 m$$

So, the bird is at a height of 5m at the end of 1sec and the pig is sitting at a height of 15 m. Therefore, it will miss the pig and he is going to leave. The motion of the bird will be as shown in figure.

Problem 2: A missile is being launched from a cliff of a given height as shown in the figure given below. Calculate the range of the projectile. Assume the acceleration due to gravity is $$10 ~m/s^2$$.

Solution: Such projectile motion problems can be solved easily by resolving the initial velocity into vertical and horizontal components. This can be considered as the sum of two one-dimensional motions.

Resolving the initial velocity, we have

Since the time of flight depends upon the component of velocity in the vertical direction. Hence, using the equations of motion in y-direction and considering upward displacement as positive in y-direction and forward displacement positive in x-direction, we have

$$s_y~=~ v_{oy}~ t~ +~\frac{1}{2}~ a_y t^2$$

$$⇒-45~=~40t~+~\frac{1}{2}~ (10) ~(t)^2$$

$$⇒~5t^2~-~40t~-~45~=~0$$

$$⇒~t^2~-~8t~-~9~=~0$$

$$⇒~t~=~9~ sec$$ and $$t~=~-1~ sec$$

$$t~=~-1$$ implies that the time taken for a ball launched at position A to reach at position B with the velocity of $$40~ m/s$$ is $$1 ~sec$$.

The time, taken by the projectile to reach back to the same height as point A is $$9 ~sec$$.

Now, $$Range~=~Velcoity~×~time$$

$$⇒~R~=~(40~×~9)~m$$

$$⇒~R~=~360 ~m$$

Thus, the range of projectile is $$360~ m$$.

Problem 3: In a cricket match, batsman hits the ball at a velocity of $$10√2 ~ m/s$$ at an angle of $$45^{\circ}$$ in order to score a six. A bowler can catch a ball, which is at a height of 3 m with respect to the ground. Determine the time in, which bowler will catch the ball.

Solution: The initial velocity can be resolved as

According to the given problem:

$$v_{oy}~=~10$$

$$a~=~-10 ~m/s$$

$$s_y~=~3 m$$

According to equations of motion in a plane:

$$s_y~= ~v_{oy}~ t~ +~\frac{1}{2}~ a_y ~t^2$$

Substituting the values we have;

$$3~=~10(t)~-~\frac{1}{2} ~(10) ~t^2$$

$$5t^2~-~10t~+~3~=~0$$

Solving for $$t$$ we get,

$$t~=~1~±~\frac{\sqrt{40}}{10} ~sec$$

Thus, the projectile motion problems may seem to appear as different but they can be easily solved using the correct approach.’

#### Practise This Question

If the dipole moment of CH3F is 1.847 D, the dipole moment of CD3F will be

 NCERT Related Articles NCERT Solutions for Class 12 NCERT Solutions for Class 11 NCERT Solutions for Class 10 NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Maths NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Maths NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Maths NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Physics NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Physics NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Science NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Chemistry NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Chemistry NCERT Solutions for Class 6 NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Biology NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Maths NCERT Solutions for Class 9 NCERT Solutions for Class 8 NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Science NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Maths NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Maths NCERT Solutions for Class 4 NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Science NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Science NCERT Solutions for Class 4 Maths NCERT Solutions for Class 5 NCERT Solutions for Class 7 NCERT Solutions for Class 7 Maths NCERT Solutions for Class 4 Science NCERT Solutions for Class 5 Maths NCERT Solutions for Class 7 Science NCERT Solutions NCERT Books NCERT Solutions for Class 5 Science