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A projectile is any object thrown into space (empty or not) by the exertion of a force.[1] Although any object in motion through space (for example a thrown baseball) may be called a projectile, the term more commonly refers to a ranged weapon.[2][3] Mathematical equations of motion are used to analyze projectile trajectory. An object projected at an angle to the horizontal has both the vertical and horizontal components of velocity. The vertical component of the velocity on the y-axis given as Vy=USin(teta) while the horizontal component of the velocity Vx=UCos(teta). There are various terms used in projectiles at specific angle teta 1. Time to reach maximum height. It is symbolized as (t), which is the time taken for the projectile to reach the maximum height from the plane of projection. Mathematically, it is give as t=USin(teta)/g Where g=acceleration due to gravity(app 10m/s²) U= initial velocity (m/s) teta= angle made by the projectile with the horizontal axis.

2. Time of flight (T): this is the total time taken for the projectile to fall back to the same plane from which it was projected. Mathematically it is given as T=2USin(teta)/g

3. Maximum Height (H): this is the maximum height attained by the projectile OR the maximum displacement on the vertical axis(y-axis) covered by the projectile. It is given as H= U²Sin²(teta)/2g

4. Range(R): The Range of a projectile is the horizontal distance covered (on the x-axis) by the projectile. Mathematically, R= U²Sin2(teta)/g. The Range is maximum when angle teta= 45° I.e Sin2(teta)=1.

Motive force[edit]






Delivery projectiles[edit]


Sport projectiles[edit]



Kinetic projectiles[edit]




A kinetic projectile can also be dropped from aircraft. This is applied by replacing the explosives of a regular bomb with a non-explosive material (e.g. concrete), for a precision hit with less collateral damage. A typical bomb has a mass of 900 kg (2,000 lb) and a speed of impact of 800 km/h (500 mph). It is also applied for training the act of dropping a bomb with explosives. [1] This method has been used in Operation Iraqi Freedom and the subsequent military operations in Iraq by mating concrete-filled training bombs with JDAM GPS guidance kits, to attack vehicles and other relatively "soft" targets located too close to civilian structures for the use of conventional high explosive bombs.



Wired projectiles[edit]


  • for guidance: wire-guided missile (range up to 4,000 metres or 13,000 feet)
  • to administer an electric shock, as in the case of a Taser (range up to 10.6 metres or 35 feet); two projectiles are shot simultaneously, each with a cable.
  • Bolo round

Typical projectile speeds[edit]

Projectile Speed Specific kinetic energy (J/kg)
Thrown club (expert thrower) 40 144 130 90 800
Paintball fired from marker 91 327.6 300 204 4,100
175-lb-draw crossbow bolt 97 349.2 320 217 4,700
6 mm Airsoft pellet 100 360 328 224 5,000
Air Rifle BB 4.5 mm 150 540 492 336 11,000
Satellite in low earth orbit 8,000 29,000 26,000 19,000 32,000,000
7 TeV particle in LHC[5] 299,792,455 [note 1] 1,079,252,839 983571079 670,616,536 ~6.7 × 1020 [note 2]

See also[edit]


  1. ^ Approximate equivalent of 99,9999991% c.
  2. ^ In relation to the rest mass of proton.


  1. ^ "Definition of PROJECTILE". Retrieved 13 April 2017.
  5. ^ "Facts and figures". European Organization for Nuclear Research. CERN. 2008. Archived from the original on 2018-07-02. Retrieved 2018-07-02.

External links[edit]