Extension of application field of analytical formulas for the computation of projectile motion in midair

Revista Brasileira de Ensino de Fisica, v. 35, n. 1, 1310 (2013)The classic problem of the motion of a point mass (projectile) thrown at an angle to the horizon is reviewed. The air drag force is taken into account with the drag factor assumed to be constant. An analytical approach is used for the investigation. Application field of the previously obtained approximate analytical formulas has been expanded both in the upward launch angle , and in the direction of increase of the initial speed of the projectile. The motion of a baseball is presented as an example. It is shown that in a sufficiently wide ranges of initial velocity and launch angle the relative error in calculating the distance of the ball does not exceed 1%.