AQA · A-Level · Physical Education
Course version: 7582 · Version from Sept 2016
Projectile motion: Factors affecting flight paths of different projectiles.
A projectile is any body given an initial velocity and then moving only under gravity and air resistance.
Checked against the AQA 7582 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 2 of 4
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
A projectile is any body given an initial velocity and then moving only under gravity and air resistance. Its flight path depends on release velocity, release angle, release height and the aerodynamic forces acting on it. Velocity splits into a horizontal component, which is unchanged if drag is ignored, and a vertical component changed by acceleration due to gravity, about 9.81 m s⁻² downward. A larger release velocity carries the projectile further; an angle near 45° maximises range when release and landing heights are equal; greater release height lengthens flight time and range. Drag shortens the path and makes it asymmetric.
What earns the marks
- A projectile moves only under gravity and air resistance after release.
- Horizontal velocity is constant when drag is ignored; vertical velocity changes at about 9.81 m s⁻² downward.
- Increasing release velocity increases range and flight time.
- Range is greatest near 45° when release and landing heights are equal.
- Greater release height increases flight time and range.
- Drag reduces range and makes the flight path asymmetric.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Believing gravity also slows the horizontal component.
Put it right: Gravity acts vertically only, so horizontal velocity stays constant when drag is ignored.
Thinking any release angle gives maximum range.
Put it right: With equal release and landing heights, range peaks near 45°.
Assuming a heavier projectile always travels further.
Put it right: With drag ignored, mass does not change the path; drag effects depend on shape and air resistance.
Exam tips
- Separate the motion into horizontal and vertical components before choosing an answer.
- Check whether the question says drag is ignored or included, because that changes the path.
- Use the equal-height condition before applying the 45° maximum-range idea.
Try the lesson
The start of the Projectile motion: Factors affecting flight paths of different projectiles. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
A shuttlecock and a football are both struck with the same initial velocity and angle. Which projectile has a shorter flight path because air resistance slows it more?
Listen
A projectile is any body given an initial velocity and then moving only under gravity and air resistance. Its flight path depends on release velocity, release angle, release height and the aerodynamic forces acting on it. Velocity splits into a horizontal component, which is unchanged if drag is ignored, and a vertical component changed by acceleration due to gravity, about 9.81 m s⁻² downward. A larger release velocity carries the projectile further; an angle near 45° maximises range when release and landing heights are equal; greater release height lengthens flight time and range. Drag shortens the path and makes it asymmetric. A strong answer earns marks for these points. A projectile moves only under gravity and air resistance after release. Horizontal velocity is constant when drag is ignored; vertical velocity changes at about 9.81 m s⁻² downward. Increasing release velocity increases range and flight time. Range is greatest near 45° when release and landing heights are equal. Exam tip: Separate the motion into horizontal and vertical components before choosing an answer.
Key words
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Components of projectile motion
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Effect of release velocity
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Effect of release angle
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Effect of release height and drag
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See every definition
- Components of projectile motion
- Velocity splits into a horizontal component, which is unchanged if drag is ignored, and a vertical component changed by acceleration due to gravity.
- Effect of release velocity
- A larger release velocity carries the projectile further, increasing range and flight time.
- Effect of release angle
- An angle near 45° maximises range when release and landing heights are equal.
- Effect of release height and drag
- Greater release height lengthens flight time and range, while drag shortens the path and makes it asymmetric.
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