When a projectile is launched, what happens to velocity in the horizontal direction?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking about the behavior of horizontal velocity when a projectile is launched, particularly if it changes or remains constant during its flight.
Answer
The velocity in the horizontal direction remains constant.
The final answer is that the velocity in the horizontal direction remains constant.
Answer for screen readers
The final answer is that the velocity in the horizontal direction remains constant.
More Information
In projectile motion, horizontal velocity remains unchanged since no external horizontal forces act on the projectile. Gravity only affects the vertical motion.
Tips
A common mistake is to assume gravity affects the horizontal motion, which it does not.
Sources
- Characteristics of a Projectile's Trajectory - physicsclassroom.com
- Horizontally launched projectile (video) - Khan Academy - khanacademy.org
- 3.3: Projectile Motion - Physics LibreTexts - phys.libretexts.org
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