As we have studied displacement. There are two types of displacement; horizontal displacement and vertical displacement. In this article, we will discuss what is horizontal displacement and how to find Horizontal displacement.
When an object is shot diagonally near the earth’s face, it travels at a steady speed across a curving route that leads to the earth’s center. Horizontal shot motion is the name given to this type of object motion, with shot referring to the particle’s route.
When the object is moving along the x-axis, displacement in the x-direction is horizontal displacement. The horizontal displacement induced by the object’s shot velocity is calculated by
ΔX=v0Xt
Where ΔX is horizontal displacement
v0 is velocity of object
t is time of flight
The motion is termed vertical projectile motion when the particle travels at a constant rate when the particle is moving across the y-axis.
How to find horizontal displacement of a projectile?
Horizontal displacement by an object that is fired in the x-direction can be calculated if we know the initial velocity and the time of flight of the object.
If we put the respective values of initial velocity and time of flight in the given formula;
ΔX=v0Xt
Horizontal displacement formula
ΔX=v0Xt
Where ΔX is horizontal displacement
v0 is velocity of object
t is time of flight
How to calculate total horizontal displacement ?
We need to know the final and initial velocity of fired object in order to find total horizontal displacement.
We can calculate total horizontal displacement by using time of flight and initial and final velocity of an object that is fired in the x-direction and putting those values in the given formula,
s=ut+(1/2)at2
Distance and displacement
We generally think distance and displacement as same quantity but both these notions used for different meanings. Let’s take a closer look at the distinction between distance and displacement.
Distance
We can define distance as the amount of area covered by an item, regardless of its beginning or finishing position.
“Distance is total path or route followed by some entity.”
Displacement
An arrow is used to indicate the direction of some entity from starting point to final point. The location of an object changes as it travels from position A to position B, for example. Distinction between distance and displacement .
“Displacement is shortest or minimum length between starting coordinates and final coordinates of an object.”
Distinction between distance and displacement
| S. No. | Distance | Displacement |
| 1. | The entire length of a route travelled by an entity is called distance. | Displacement is the smallest distance between an entity’s originating and final coordinates. |
| 2. | It is represented by “d”. | It is represented by “s”. |
| 3. | It just contains magnitude not direction. | It contains a magnitude as well as a direction. |
| 4. | It’s a scalar value, after all. | It’s a variable with a vector. |
| 5. | A distance may be used to get some basic data concerning an object’s route from one location to another. | Since we know that displacement is concerned about only starting point coordinates and ending point coordinates so it cannot give the data about route that an entity followed from starting point to reach the end. |
| 6. | Speed*time | Velocity*time |
| 7. | Only positive values are possible for distance. | Displacement can be negative, zero, or positive. |
| 8. | It is not represented with an arrow. | Displacement is represented b with an arrow to indicate direction. |
| 9. | The distance can be calculated along a non-straight-line path. | Measurement of displacement needs straight line path. |
Problems
Problem 1
Measure the value of an object’s horizontal displacement in a projectile motion with a constant velocity of 30m/s and a flight period of 60 seconds.
Solution
Given;
Velocity of object = 30m/s
Time of flight = 60s
We can calculate horizontal displacement by putting the given values in the displacement formula.
Formula given for horizontal displacement of projectile motion
ΔX=v0Xt
ΔX=30*60=1800m
Problem 2
Find the horizontal displacement of an object that is fired with a velocity of 15 m/s for 30 seconds.
Solution
Given;
Velocity of particle= 15m/s
Time of flight =30s
We can calculate horizontal displacement by putting the given values in the displacement formula.
Formula given for horizontal displacement of projectile motion.
ΔX=v0Xt
ΔX=15*30=450m
Problem 3
Find total displacement by an object which was fired with a velocity of 30m/s. After 60 seconds of flight, that object hits the ground with a velocity of 30m/s.
Solution
Given;
Initial velocity of object= 15m/s
Final velocity of object= 30m/s
Time of flight= 60 seconds
We can calculate total horizontal displacement by putting the given values in the total displacement formula.
Formula for total horizontal displacement is
Quick Facts:
Q. What is a projectile’s overall horizontal displacement?
The reach of the projectile is the horizontal displacement of the projectile and is determined by the object’s preliminary velocity. If a projectile is fired at the same starting velocity but from two complementary degrees of projection, its range will be equal.
Q. Is the horizontal displacement of a projectile constant?
When the bullet’s horizontal length travelled per second remains steady: the bullet moves 20 metres per second since there is no horizontal acceleration, As a result, the horizontal displacement is 10 meters in one second, 20 meters in two seconds, 30 meters in three seconds, and so on.
Q. What is the terminology for a projectile’s horizontal displacement?
The reach of the projectile is the horizontal displacement of the projectile, and it is determined by the object’s initial velocity.
Q: What is horizontal displacement?
A: Horizontal displacement refers to the distance covered by an object in the horizontal direction. It is the change in position of an object along the x-axis.
Q: How do you find horizontal displacement?
A: To find horizontal displacement, you can use the equation: horizontal displacement = horizontal velocity × time. This equation calculates the distance traveled by an object horizontally.
Q: What is the equation for horizontal displacement?
A: The equation for horizontal displacement is: horizontal displacement = horizontal velocity × time. This equation is derived from the basic kinematic equation for motion.
Q: What is launch angle?
A: Launch angle refers to the angle at which an object is launched or projected into the air. It is measured relative to the horizontal direction.
Q: What is horizontal projectile motion?
A: Horizontal projectile motion refers to the motion of an object that is launched horizontally. In this type of motion, the object only moves in the horizontal direction and does not experience any vertical acceleration.
Q: How do you find the maximum height of a projectile?
A: The maximum height of a projectile can be found by using the equation: maximum height = (initial vertical velocity)^2 / (2 × vertical acceleration). This equation calculates the vertical displacement of a projectile at its peak.
Q: What is the range of a projectile?
A: The range of a projectile refers to the horizontal distance traveled by the projectile before it hits the ground. It is the total horizontal displacement of the projectile.
Q: What is the vertical component of a projectile?
A: The vertical component of a projectile refers to the motion of the object in the vertical direction. It involves the initial vertical velocity, vertical acceleration, and vertical displacement of the projectile.
Q: How does horizontal and vertical displacement relate to each other?
A: Horizontal and vertical displacement are independent of each other. The horizontal displacement is determined by the horizontal velocity and the time, while the vertical displacement is determined by the initial vertical velocity, vertical acceleration, and time.
Q: How do you find the time of flight of a projectile?
A: To find the time of flight of a projectile, you can use the equation: time of flight = (2 × initial vertical velocity) / vertical acceleration. This equation calculates the total time the projectile is in the air.
Also Read:
- Examples of displacement
- Direction of angular displacement
- Linear displacement and angular displacement
- Can displacement be negative
- Is displacement continuous
- Can displacement be zero
- What is horizontal displacement
I am Sakshi Sharma, I have completed my post-graduation in applied physics. I like to explore in different areas and article writing is one of them. In my articles, I try to present physics in most understanding manner for the readers.