Two independent motions happening at once: constant velocity horizontally, constant acceleration vertically. Almost every projectile question is solved by separating them.
Syllabus points covered
- Model the motion of a projectile as a particle moving with constant acceleration
- Use horizontal and vertical equations of motion to solve problems
- Find the magnitude and direction of the velocity at a given time or position
- Derive and use the Cartesian equation of the trajectory
Common mistakes
- Applying gravity to the horizontal component of motion.
- Using the initial speed rather than its resolved components in the equations.
- Forgetting that at maximum height the vertical velocity, not the speed, is zero.
- Neglecting the launch height when the projectile does not start at ground level.
Worksheets
Use these as soon as you've learned the topic and need to practise it. Start with the worksheet, check yourself against the answers, and only then look at the step-by-step solutions.
- Practice worksheetComing soon
- Worksheet answersComing soon
- Step-by-step solutionsComing soon
Topical past papers
Move on to these once you've worked through the worksheets and are ready for harder, exam-style questions. Real past-paper questions on this topic, with the official mark scheme and full worked solutions.
- Topical questions
- Mark scheme
- Step-by-step worked solutionsComing soon
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