Horizontal and Vertical Motion
The diagram shows two balls that are released at the same time, one is released and the other has a horizontal velocity. We see that the ball shot from the cannon falls at the same rate at the ball that was released. This is because the horizontal and vertical components of motion are independent of each other.
Horizontal: The horizontal velocity is constant; we see that the fired ball covers the same horizontal (across) distance with each second.
Vertical: The vertical velocity accelerates at a rate of g (9.81m/s2). We can see this more clearly in the released ball; it covers more distance each second.
The horizontal velocity has no affect on the vertical velocity. If a ball were fired from the cannon at a high horizontal velocity it would travel further but still take the same time to reach the ground.
| Section 4 | Newton’s Laws | |
|---|---|---|
| Lesson 8 | ||
| Learning Outcomes | To know and be able to use Newton’s 1st law of motion, where appropriate | |
| To know and be able to use Newton’s 2nd law of motion, where appropriate | ||
| To know and be able to use Newton’s 3rd law of motion, where appropriate | M.BENYOHAI |