ProjectilesSeparating horizontal and vertical motion, and why it works.PhysicsThe standard method, ignoring air resistance.1Resolve the initial velocityu cos θ horizontally, u sin θ vertically.2Horizontal: constant velocityNo horizontal force, so a = 0. s = u cos θ × t.3Vertical: constant accelerationa = −g. Use SUVAT.4Time links themSolve the vertical for t, then substitute into the horizontal.USEFUL RESULTSMaximum range at 45° on level groundTime to peak = u sin θ ÷ gAt the peak the vertical velocity is zero, not the totalAt the highest point the vertical component is zero and the horizontalcomponent is unchanged. The projectile is still moving.Projectileslearnposters.com
Projectiles — printable physical science wall chart from LearnPosters. Free vector PDF, US Letter and A4.

Projectiles, step by step

The standard method, ignoring air resistance.

  1. Resolve the initial velocityu cos θ horizontally, u sin θ vertically.
  2. Horizontal: constant velocityNo horizontal force, so a = 0. s = u cos θ × t.
  3. Vertical: constant accelerationa = −g. Use SUVAT.
  4. Time links themSolve the vertical for t, then substitute into the horizontal.

Useful results

  • Maximum range at 45° on level ground
  • Time to peak = u sin θ ÷ g
  • At the peak the vertical velocity is zero, not the total

At the highest point the vertical component is zero and the horizontal component is unchanged. The projectile is still moving.

Questions about the Projectiles poster

What’s on the Projectiles poster?
4 numbered steps, with a full worked run-through. The standard method, ignoring air resistance. Resolve the initial velocity — u cos θ horizontally, u sin θ vertically.; Horizontal: constant velocity — No horizontal force, so a = 0. s = u cos θ × t.; Vertical: constant acceleration — a = −g. Use SUVAT.; Time links them — Solve the vertical for t, then substitute into the horizontal.. At the highest point the vertical component is zero and the horizontal component is unchanged. The projectile is still moving.
Who is the Projectiles poster for?
Projectiles belongs to the Physics section rather than to a school year, because physical science is not something one grade owns. Anyone learning mechanics can pin it up — a beginner, a student mid-course, or someone revising years later.
When should you use the Projectiles poster?
The two directions are independent. Solve them separately and connect through time. A wall chart earns its place by being glanceable from where the work is happening, so Projectiles belongs on the wall where that physical science work actually happens, within glancing distance, rather than filed away.
What other posters go with Projectiles?
Circular Motion, Free Body Diagrams and Friction & Drag sit alongside Projectiles in the Physics section. Printed together they make a wall rather than a single sheet, which is how a reference set actually gets used.Circular MotionFree Body DiagramsFriction & Drag
Is the Projectiles poster free to download and print?
Yes. Projectiles downloads as a free PDF with no account, no email and no watermark, like everything else in the Physics section. Print as many copies as you like for a home, a classroom, a library or a tutoring group; reselling the file is the only thing the licence rules out.Read the licence
What size does the Projectiles poster print at?
Projectiles is a vector PDF laid out for US Letter, and prints on A4 with Fit to page — the same file, no separate download. Because every mark on it is drawn rather than photographed, it stays sharp enlarged to A3, A2 or A1 at a copy shop. Colour carries emphasis only, so a greyscale print of Projectiles loses nothing.Printing guide

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