Projectile Motion

What defines a projectile?

A projectile travels with a circular trajectory.

What is the value of vertical acceleration caused by gravity?

Describe how the horizontal velocity of a projectile behaves.

What happens to the vertical velocity of a projectile each second?

The horizontal motion of a projectile is independent of its __________.

For horizontally launched projectiles, what is the initial vertical velocity?

What are the two equations needed to analyze a projectile's motion in two dimensions?

The path of a projectile is called a __________.

How long is the drop in air for a plane traveling at 100 m/s from an altitude of 500 m?

How far away will the plane land horizontally from where it was launched?

Characteristics of a Projectile's Trajectory

A projectile is an object that has only gravity acting upon it.
Projectiles follow a parabolic trajectory due to gravity's influence.
There are no horizontal forces acting on projectiles, so there is no horizontal acceleration.
Horizontal velocity of a projectile is constant, never changing in value.
Vertical acceleration caused by gravity is 9.8 m/s², downward.
Vertical velocity of a projectile changes by 9.8 m/s every second.
Horizontal motion of a projectile is independent of its vertical motion.

Horizontal Velocity Component

Horizontal velocity remains constant throughout the trajectory.
Covers equal displacements in equal time periods.
Initial horizontal velocity equals the final horizontal velocity (constant).

Vertical Velocity Component

Vertical velocity changes due to gravity.
Does not cover equal displacements in equal time periods.
Magnitude and direction change, with magnitude decreasing upward and increasing downward.

Trajectory

The combination of horizontal and vertical velocity components produces a parabolic trajectory.

Horizontally Launched Projectiles

Have no upward trajectory and no initial vertical velocity.
Require two equations for analysis, one for the x-direction and one for the y-direction.

Analyzing a Projectile in 2D

Equation for the x-direction: x = vox t
Equation for the y-direction: y = (1/2)gt²
Velocity is constant horizontally, so acceleration is zero.

This quiz covers the characteristics of a projectile's trajectory, including its parabolic path, constant horizontal velocity, and vertical acceleration due to gravity. Learn about the key features of projectile motion.