4. Projectile Motion: Terms & Definitions

Question 1

Air Resistance

Answer 1

Air resistance, also known as drag, is the force that opposes the motion of an object as it moves through the air, acting in the opposite direction to the object’s velocity.

Question 2

Apex

Answer 2

The apex is the highest point reached by an object in motion, particularly in a projectile’s trajectory or path.

Question 3

Drag

Answer 3

Drag is the resistive force exerted by a fluid, such as air or water, on an object moving through it, opposing the object’s motion.

Question 4

Horizontal Velocity

Answer 4

Horizontal velocity is the constant component of an object’s velocity parallel to the horizontal plane, unaffected by gravity in the absence of air resistance.

Question 5

Initial Velocity

Answer 5

Initial velocity is the velocity of an object at the moment it begins its motion, before any forces like gravity or friction have altered it.

Question 6

Laws of Constant Acceleration

Answer 6

The laws of constant acceleration describe the motion of an object when the acceleration remains constant, including relationships between displacement, velocity, time, and acceleration, often expressed through equations such as:

Question 7

Oblique Trajectory

Answer 7

An oblique trajectory is the curved path followed by a projectile when it is launched at an angle to the horizontal, involving both horizontal and vertical motion components.

Question 8

Projectile

Answer 8

A projectile is any object that is thrown, launched, or otherwise propelled into the air and is subject to forces such as gravity and air resistance, following a curved trajectory.

Question 9

Projection Angle

Answer 9

The projection angle is the angle at which an object is launched or projected relative to the horizontal axis, influencing the trajectory and range of the object.

Question 10

Projection Speed

Answer 10

Projection speed is the initial speed at which an object is launched or projected, determining how far and fast the object will travel along its trajectory.

Question 11

Range

Answer 11

Range is the horizontal distance a projectile travels from its launch point to the point where it lands or comes to rest.

Question 12

Range-Release Angle Theory

Answer 12

The Range-Release Angle Theory states that the range of a projectile is influenced by the angle at which it is released, with the optimal release angle for maximum range in a vacuum being 45 degrees, assuming symmetrical projectile motion and no air resistance.

Question 13

Relative Projection Height

Answer 13

Relative projection height is the difference in height between the point where a projectile is launched and the point where it lands or reaches the same horizontal level.

Question 14

Terminal Velocity

Answer 14

Terminal velocity is the constant maximum speed an object reaches when the force of gravity pulling it downward is balanced by the air resistance pushing upward, resulting in zero net acceleration.

Question 15

Trajectory

Answer 15

A trajectory is the path that an object follows through space as it moves, typically curved due to forces like gravity and air resistance.

Question 16

Uniform Acceleration

Answer 16

Uniform acceleration refers to a constant rate of change in velocity over time, meaning an object’s velocity increases or decreases by the same amount during equal time intervals.

Question 17

Vertical Trajectory

Answer 17

A vertical trajectory is the path of an object moving straight up or down along a vertical line, influenced primarily by gravity and air resistance.