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

3465 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

Describe and explain the vertical motion of a parachutist which jumps out of an aeroplane at time t=0 and then releases the parachute shortly after reaching terminal velocity at time t=T. (Assume air resistance is not negligible).


A car is travelling at 20 m/s. The accelerator is applied, causing an acceleration of 2m/s^s. How fast is the car travelling after 10 seconds of acceleration?


Electrons are accelerated through a potential difference of 300 V. What is their final de Broglie wavelength?


Show Maxwell's equations in free space satisfy the wave equation


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