Projectile Motion
A projectile moves through the air under gravity, with constant horizontal velocity and changing vertical velocity.
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Play with the controls to see the idea in action.
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A projectile moves through the air under gravity, with constant horizontal velocity and changing vertical velocity.
- Horizontal and vertical motion are independent
- Maximum range is at 45 degrees
- The path is a parabola
🧠 Quick quiz
Three questions. Score 2 or more to complete the topic.
What is Projectile Motion?
Within Physics, which covers forces, energy, waves, electricity, magnetism, light and space explained through motion and experiments, this topic explains Projectile Motion. Physics topics explain how things move, push, heat up and carry energy, so each one here pairs a definition with a live model you can change.
Check that you can explain Projectile Motion in your own words and give one example from everyday life. If you can do that, you have understood the core idea.
Understanding Projectile Motion explains how the physical world behaves, from sport and transport to electricity and medicine.
Projectile Motion in detail
A projectile moves under gravity after being launched, following a curved parabolic path. Its horizontal and vertical motions are independent: horizontally the velocity is constant (no horizontal force if air resistance is ignored), and vertically there is constant acceleration of g downward.
Resolving the launch velocity into components, u cos θ and u sin θ, lets you find time of flight, maximum height and range. The maximum range occurs at 45° on level ground. Projectile ideas explain the flight of balls, water jets and long jumpers, though air resistance modifies real paths.
How the interactive helps you understand Projectile Motion
Watch the projectile path in the interactive. Use any sliders or buttons it offers to change the values and see how the projectile path responds.
Before you change anything, predict the result. Then change one value at a time and check whether your prediction was right. This is a quick way to build a correct mental model of Projectile Motion.
Real-life uses and examples
- Use Projectile Motion to make sense of a practical and its results.
- Answer “explain” questions by linking Projectile Motion to a clear cause and effect.
- Predict what a ball, car or circuit will do with Projectile Motion before you do the calculation.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Mixing up Projectile Motion with a related quantity that has different units.
- Forgetting that some quantities, such as force or velocity, also have a direction.
- Learning the definition without testing it. Use the quiz and the interactive to check that you can apply the idea.
Frequently asked questions about Projectile Motion
What is Projectile Motion?
A projectile moves through the air under gravity, with constant horizontal velocity and changing vertical velocity.
What are the most important points about Projectile Motion?
The main points are: Horizontal and vertical motion are independent; Maximum range is at 45 degrees; The path is a parabola.
Why is Projectile Motion useful?
Understanding Projectile Motion explains how the physical world behaves, from sport and transport to electricity and medicine.
How can I practise Projectile Motion?
Open the interactive at the top of this page and change the controls one at a time. Predict the result before each change, then take the three-question quiz. A score of two or more marks the topic as complete on this device.
Which topics are related to Projectile Motion?
Related topics in Physics include Newton's Third Law, Air Resistance and Terminal Velocity, Centre of Mass and Stability.