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Physics LibreTexts

9.2: Introduction

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An object that is launched outward from a height above the ground will follow a curved path.  The curved path of a projectile is a combination of the horizontal motion it is given and the effect of gravity on the object.  A projectile launched horizontally, parallel to the ground, is dropping at the same time as it is traveling horizontally, and the result is a curved path. 

clipboard_ea4f195deeb83876c9dcc5c43f219606a.png
Figure \PageIndex{1}: A projectile launched horizontally

The ball will travel a distance in the horizontal (x) plane while it is dropping in the vertical (y) plane.

Horizontal Motion:

x = vt \nonumber 

Vertical Motion:

t = \sqrt{\dfrac{2y}{g}} \nonumber

Contributors and Attributions


9.2: Introduction is shared under a CC BY license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.

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