Physics 1 - Chapter 3
Terms & Objectives
Note: The following terms and objectives are based on the
Indiana Standards 2000 for Physics 1. You may download the complete
physics standards by clicking here,
or view the standards relevant to Chapter 3 - Projectile Motion
New Terms in Chapter 3:
resolving a vector
addition of vectors
Chapter 3 Objectives:
When you have completed Chapter 3, you should be able to:
- ... describe the difference between vector and scalar
- ... add two perpendicular vectors graphically or analytically.
- ... find the horizontal and vertical components of a
- ... find the magnitude and direction of a vector given its
horizontal and vertical components.
- ...describe the motion of a projectile launched horizontally
in terms of the horizontal and vertical components of the motion.
- ...calculate the range and time of flight of a projectile
- ...describe the motion of a projectile launched at some angle
to the horizontal in terms of the horizontal and vertical
components of the motion.
... state that the maximum range for a projectile will be
achieved at a launch angle of 45o to the
- ... recognize that a projectile launched at an angle
to the horizontal will have the same
range as a projectile launched at the angle 90o -
- ... discuss the relationship between satellite motion and
Possible Preconceptions to Correct
Here are some misconceptions about Projectile Motion that you may
need to correct:
- Wrong: The curved motion of a projectile is
very different from common one-dimensional motions.
- Wrong: The horizontal speed of a projectile decreases as the projectile moves.
- Wrong: An object will fall straight to the
ground faster than an object initially moving horizontally will fall from the same height.
- Wrong: At the top of its trajectory, the
velocity of a projectile is always momentarily zero.
last update October 3, 2008 by JL