Module 2—Motion in Two Dimensions
Lesson Summary
In this lesson you explored the following essential question:
- How can the kinematic equations of motion with constant acceleration or uniform motion be used to solve projectile problems?
Projectile problems seem like difficult two-dimensional problems. However, knowing that the vertical motion of the ball is independent from the horizontal motion, the question becomes two straightforward one-dimensional problems—one for vertical motion with constant acceleration and another for horizontal motion with uniform velocity.
- Vertical information is required to solve the time of fall and vertical displacement and velocity at any time.
- Horizontal information is required to solve for the range of a projectile (horizontal displacement).