

IB DP Physics lesson pack on projectile motion for Topic A.1 Kinematics, SL and HL, first assessment 2025: the theory-and-components half, before any range or time of flight is calculated. Editable worksheet, 29-slide lesson deck, teacher key, worked solutions and a questions-only assessment, supplied as self-contained HTML plus colour and black-and-white PDF.
What students learn
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A projectile moves under gravity alone, with fluid resistance neglected: zero horizontal acceleration, and a constant vertical acceleration g downward, which is exactly the free fall met before.
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The horizontal and vertical motions are independent and share only the elapsed time. A strobe photograph of two identical balls released together, one dropped and one launched horizontally, shows them level at every flash.
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Resolving the velocity: for a speed u at angle theta to the horizontal, u cos(theta) across and u sin(theta) up. The horizontal component stays constant for the whole flight; the vertical component is the starting velocity of a free fall.
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A worked launch at 25 m s⁻¹ and 37 degrees, five explained multiple-choice questions, and exam practice with a ball kicked at 72 km h⁻¹ and a challenge worked backwards from the top of the path.
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IB skills (Tool 3: Mathematics):** -
Resolve vectors into two perpendicular components (taught).
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Select and manipulate equations (practised).
What’s included:
- Student Worksheet - 12 pages
- Teacher Key
- Worked Solutions
- Assessment
- Lesson deck - 29 slides
Quantitative ranges, times of flight and full trajectories are left to the follow-on pack, and the parabola’s equation is not required. Worksheet and deck open in any modern browser with nothing to install, and the worksheet is fully editable. SI units, IB notation and IB command terms throughout. Suitable for grades 11-12 (ages 16-19) as a lesson, cover lesson, homework or revision.
Part of the A.1 Kinematics Complete Unit Bundle: every pack for the topic, 30% off buying them separately.
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