If a ball is launched at ground level at a velocity v and angle θ, find an expression for it's height at horizontal distance x.

Firstly it must be understood that vertical and horizontal motion can be treated as independent, as they are perpendicular to each other (and acceleration due to gravity only affects the y component of velocity). So considering vertical forces, an acceleration of -g (-9.81ms-2) acts in the positive y direction. The vertical component of velocity can therefore be found with SUVAT (equations for constant acceleration). We know initial velocity in the positive y direction 'uy' = vsin(θ), acceleration 'a' = -g, time is known as 't' and we are trying to find vertical displacement 'y' (using y instead of the normal 's' for displacement), so we can use y=uyt + (1/2)at2=vsin(θ)t - (1/2)gt2.
We know everything in this expression apart from t, so using that the horizontal velocity is constant at ux=vcos(θ), use x=uxt + (1/2)at2=vcos(θ)t + (1/2)at2 , again where 'x' is horizontal displacement but where a=0 as there are no horizontal forces (so x=vcos(θ)t). Therefore we can rearrange for t=x/vcos(θ), then insert this into the y equation, so y=(vsin(θ)x)/vcos(θ) - (g/2)(x2/(vcos(θ))2), or more simply y=xtan(θ)-(g/2)(x/vcos(θ))2.

OP
Answered by Oscar P. Physics tutor

3332 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

Convection, conduction and radiation in space


Where does the formula for gravitational potential come from? Why the minus sign?


If a stationary observer sees a ship moving relativistically (near the speed of light), will it appear contracted or enlarged? And by how much.


How does the photoelectric effect (gold leaf experiment) demonstrate the particle nature of light?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning