English

Some remarks on projectile motion with a linear resistance force

Physics Education 2023-10-04 v1

Abstract

In this article we revisit the projectile motion assuming a retarding force proportional to the velocity, Fr=mkV\vec{F_r} = -mk\vec{V}. We obtain an analytical expression for the set of maxima of the trajectories, in Cartesian coordinates, without using the Lambert WW function. Also, we investigate the effect of the parameter kk on the radial distance of the projectile showing that the radial distance oscillates from a certain critical launch angle and find an approximate expression for it. In our analysis, we consider the impact of the parameter kk in the kinetic energy, the potential energy, the total energy and the rate of energy loss, and in the phase space. Our results can be included in an intermediate-level classical mechanics course.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2310.01776,
  title  = {Some remarks on projectile motion with a linear resistance force},
  author = {C. A. Morales and J. H. Muñoz and C. E. Vera},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2310.01776},
  year   = {2023}
}

Comments

13 pages, 7 figures

R2 v1 2026-06-28T12:39:04.828Z