1. Horizontal Projectiles Physics Level 1

2. Vector Resolution The study of vectors allows for breaking a single vector into components: – the vertical y component – the horizontal x component Any vector can be expressed as the sum of two other vectors, which are called its components.. Usually the other vectors are chosen so that they are perpendicular to each other. In the above example you are given the resultant and the angle. You will then use the sine and cosine to find the y and x components respectively.

3. Horizontal Projectiles A projectile is any object upon which the only force acting is gravity. They can be broken up into vertical or y and horizontal or x components by vector resolution. The x and the y have different variables. There is no acceleration on the horizontal so there is no difference between final and initial velocity. The table below details the variables that can be solved on each component.

4. Horizontal Projectiles Because there is no acceleration on the x axis(horizontal) different equations can be used to solve for variables. The key variable is time!!! Time is the same on x or y components. Vertical component equationsHorizontal component equation

5. Example: A cat chases a mouse across a 1.0m high table. The mouse steps out of the way and the cat slides off the table and strikes the floor 2.2m from the edge of the table. What is the cats speed when it slid off the table and how long does it take for it to hit the ground? Answer technique: draw diagram, label variables, insert knowns, solve unknowns. Solve for time first. vertical t 2 = 2x / a t = 0.45 sec horizontal t= 0.45 so v= d / t or v= 2.2m / 0.45s = 4.9m/s