9 Easy Projectile Motion Examples in Physics & Real Life

Projectile Motion Examples In Physics & In Real Life

Real-Life Examples Of Projectile Motion In Physics

Here are the top 9 projectile motion Examples In physics and in real life.

1. Throwing a Ball

2. Shooting a Basketball

3. Kicking a Soccer Ball

4. Throwing a Frisbee

5. Hitting a Golf Ball

6. Javelin Throw

7. Baseball hit by a batter

8. Serving a tennis ball

9. Throwing a dart

Projectile motion is a necessary part of many everyday activities. In physics, projectile motion refers to the movement of an object that is thrown or launched into the air and then moves under the influence of gravity.

It is an important concept to understand because it can help us explain the motion of many different objects, including sports balls, rockets, and even bullets.

In this blog post, we’ll explore 9 projectile motion examples in real life in physics that will show you how this concept applies to our world. From Shooting a Basketball to satellites, These projectile motion examples in physics will show you the relevance that why this fundamental concept is important.

But before you read any further, it might be a good idea to briefly understand projectile motion. It will help you to understand the examples better. If you are already familiar with the concept, you can skip it by clicking on the link below.

Skip to examples:

Projectile Motion In Brief With Example

Projectile motion is the motion of an object that is thrown, launched, or dropped and moves through the air under the influence of gravity. In other words, it is the motion of an object that moves through the air, subject to only the force of gravity.

A simple example of projectile motion is throwing a ball. When you throw a ball, it follows a curved path in the air, called a parabolic path.

The ball starts with an initial speed and direction, and then gravity pulls it down toward the ground. The path of the ball is a combination of horizontal and vertical motion, and the shape of the path depends on the angle and speed at which the ball is thrown.

9 Projectile Motion Examples In Physics & In real Life Explained

5 Examples Of Projectile Motion In Physics & In Daily Life

I am sure that the concept of projectile motion is clear to you now. If not, you can check the reference provided at the end. Now, Let us move on to 9 projectile motion examples in daily life.

Examples

1. Throwing a Ball:
   
   
   
   To begin with, our first example of projectile motion is when you throw a ball, the ball follows a curved path in the air, called a parabolic path.
   
   The ball starts with an initial speed and direction, and then gravity pulls it down toward the ground. The path of the ball is a combination of horizontal and vertical motion, and the shape of the path depends on the angle and speed at which the ball is thrown.
   
   

2. Shooting a Basketball:
   
   
   
   When you shoot a basketball, the ball follows a similar parabolic path to throwing a ball. The angle and speed of the shot determine the path of the ball, which travels through the air and then either goes into the basket or hits the rim.
   
   

3. Kicking a Soccer ball:
   
   
   
   When you kick a soccer ball, the ball also follows a parabolic path. The angle and force of the kick determine the path of the ball, which moves through the air and then either land on the ground goes into the goal, or is intercepted by another player.
   
   

4. Throwing a Frisbee:
   
   
   
   Throwing a Frisbee is a fun and popular activity, and it’s also a good example of projectile motion.
   
   Furthermore, when you throw a Frisbee, it follows a curved path through the air, just like a ball or basketball. The angle and speed at which the Frisbee is thrown, as well as the force of gravity, influenced the shape of the path
   
   

5. Hitting a Golf Ball:
   
   
   
   Another instance of projectile motion is, when you hit a golf ball, it follows a curved path through the air, similar to a Frisbee or basketball. The way the golf ball moves through the air is affected by how you hit it – the angle and speed of the hit, as well as the force of gravity pulling it down toward the ground.
   
   Likewise, it is worth mentioning: Understanding the principles of projectile motion can help golfers improve their technique and accuracy on the course.
   
   

6. Javelin Throw:
   
   
   
   Javelin throw follows the principles of projectile motion, just like other examples we have discussed. In the javelin throw, a person throws a long, pointy object called a javelin as far as they can.
   
   Moreover, the javelin travels through the air in a curved path, like a ball or Frisbee. This is a popular sport that is part of track and field events.
   
   

7. Baseball Hit By a Batter:
   
   
   
   When a baseball player hits the ball with their bat, it becomes a projectile that follows a curved path through the air.
   
   When a baseball player hits the ball with their bat, multiple factors influence the ball’s path through the air. These include the angle at which the ball is hit, the speed of the hit, and the force of gravity pulling it down toward the ground.
   
   

8. Serving A Tennis Ball:
   
   
   
   Ever seen a tennis player serving a ball?
   When a player serves the ball, it becomes a projectile that follows a curved path through the air. The ball travels through the air and lands on the opponent’s side of the court. The shape of the ball’s path is a parabolic curve, similar to other examples of projectile motion.
   
   

9. Throwing a dart:
   
   
   
   Throwing a dart is a fun and popular game that requires skill and precision. The player stands a few feet away from the dartboard and throws the dart with force toward the target. As soon as the dart leaves the player’s hand, it becomes a projectile that follows a parabolic path through the air.
   
   The shape of the path is determined by the angle and force of the throw, as well as the gravitational force acting on it. The goal of the game is to hit the center of the dartboard.

All examples given above are classic examples of projectile motion that showcases how simple everyday activities can involve complex physics concepts.

References

1. Galileo’s Experiments – Galileo was one of the first scientists to study the motion of projectiles. He conducted experiments that helped him understand how projectiles behave, and he developed a theory of projectile motion.
   
   You can learn more about his experiments and theories at this link: https://www.britannica.com/science/projectile-motion

2. Trajectory – Trajectory is the path that a projectile takes through the air. It is determined by the angle and speed at which the projectile is launched, as well as the force of gravity.
   
   You can learn more about trajectory and how it relates to projectile motion at this link:
   https://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/vectors/Lesson-2/What-is-a-Projectile

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