Analytical construction of the projectile motion trajectory in midair

Abstract

A classic problem of the motion of a projectile thrown at an angle to the horizon is studied. Air resistance force is taken into account with the use of the quadratic resistance law. An analytic approach is mainly applied for the investigation. Equations of the projectile motion are solved analytically for an arbitrarily large period of time. The constructed analytical solutions are universal, that is, they can be used for any initial conditions of throwing. As a limit case of motion, the vertical asymptote formula is obtained.  The value of the vertical asymptote is calculated directly from the initial conditions of motion. There is no need to study the problem numerically. The found analytical solutions are highly accurate over a wide range of parameters. The motion of a baseball, a tennis ball, and a shuttlecock of badminton are presented as examples.