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Horizontal projectile
Beginner
Object launched horizontally falls as in free fall while moving sideways.
projectileA body launched horizontally falls with y = ½gt² while moving at constant x = ut. The time to fall height h is √(2h/g), independent of the horizontal speed.
A ball rolled off a 1.25 m table at 4 m/s hits the floor after 0.5 s, 2 m from the base.
Fast or slow, the ball lands at the same time as one dropped from rest.
In more detail
A horizontally launched projectile starts with zero vertical velocity, so its vertical motion begins from rest and falls under gravity while its horizontal velocity stays constant.
Real-world uses
- A ball rolled off a table reaches the floor in the same time as one dropped straight down.
- Aircraft dropping supplies or bombs follow horizontal launch motion.
- A ball rolled off a table leaves horizontally, and its horizontal and vertical motions show how far it lands from the table edge.
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Frequently asked questions
Does horizontal speed affect the time to fall?
No. The time to fall depends only on the height, since vertical motion is independent of horizontal motion.
How far does it travel horizontally?
Horizontal velocity times the time to fall.
Does a horizontally launched ball hit the ground at the same time as one dropped?
Yes. Its vertical motion is identical to a free-falling object of the same height, so both land together.
Related topics in Kinematics
Horizontal range · Complementary angles range · Maximum range at 45° · Projectile on an incline · Trajectory equation · Velocity at any point of projectile