Show that the trajectory of a particle that is launched at an angle is parabolic?

1 Answer
Jul 11, 2017

For Physics or Mechanics you should learn the "suvat" equations for motion under constant acceleration:

#{: (v=u+at, " where ", s="displacement "(m)), (s=ut+1/2at^2, , u="initial speed "(ms^-1)), (s=1/2(u+v)t, , v="final speed "(ms^-1)), (v^2=u^2+2as, , a="acceleration "(ms^-2)), (s=vt-1/2at^2, , t="time "(s)) :} #

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Consider a projectile launched at an angle #theta# with initial speed #u#. We ignore air resistance, and model the projectile as a particle with all mass concentrated at a point.

Horizontal Motion

The projectile will move under constant speed (NB we can still use "suvat" equation with a=0).

The projectile will travel a distance #x# in time #t#, we must resolve the initial speed in the horizontal direction

# { (s=,x,m),(u=,u cos theta,ms^-1),(v=,"Not Required",ms^-1),(a=,0,ms^-2),(t=,t,s) :} #

So applying #s=ut+1/2at^2# we get

# x = u \ costheta \ t#

Vertical Motion

The projectile travels under constant acceleration due to gravity. Considering upwards as positive, and again resolving the initial speed (vertically this time):

# { (s=,y,m),(u=,u sin theta,ms^-1),(v=,"Not Required",ms^-1),(a=,-g,ms^-2),(t=,t,s) :} #

Applying #s=ut+1/2at^2# we have:

# y = u \ sin theta \ t+1/2(-g)t^2#
# \ \ = u \ sin theta \ t - 1/2 g t^2#

Substituting for #t# from the first equation into the second we get:

# y = u \ sin theta \ (x/(u cos theta)) - 1/2 g (x/(u cos theta))^2#
# \ \ = (tan theta) x - g/(2u^2 cos^2 theta) \ x^2#
# \ \ = a x - b x^2 \ \ #, say, where #a,b# are constants.

Which is the trajectory of a parabola.