Search results
Vertical motion vectors are simple in direction: up is positive and down is negative. The following sketch shows these vector conventions and their respective zero points. As air resistance begins to increase in strength, the net acceleration downwards also increases until it is approximately zero.
Learn how to apply kinematic equations and vectors to solve problems involving projectile motion, which is the motion of an object thrown into the air with negligible air resistance. See examples, diagrams, and formulas for horizontal and vertical components of displacement, velocity, and acceleration.
Learn about vertical motion, free fall, terminal velocity and the acceleration of gravity with examples and equations. Explore the historical development and challenges of studying falling bodies.
Vertical projectile motion: formula for maximum height. Starting from the equation relating velocity and position for a uniformly accelerated motion: $$v^2 =v_0^2 – 2gy$$
The time for projectile motion is determined completely by the vertical motion. Thus, any projectile that has an initial vertical velocity of 21.2 m/s and lands 10.0 m above its starting altitude spends 3.79 s in the air.
Since the object travels distance \(\mathrm{H}\) in the vertical direction before it hits the ground, we can use the kinematic equation for the vertical motion: \[\mathrm{(y−y_0)=−H=0⋅T−\dfrac{1}{2}gT^2}\]
The motion is vertical in this situation, so we'll use y as our position variable instead of x . The symbol we choose doesn't really matter as long as we're consistent, but people typically use y to indicate vertical motion.
