4.11 Projectile Motion

Question 1

What is a projectile?

Answer 1

Any object given an initial velocity and then left to move freely under gravity

Question 2

What is the relationship between the horizontal and vertical component of the objects motion in projectile motion?

Answer 2

The horizontal and vertical components of the objects motion are completely independent

Question 3

What is the shape of the path that projectiles follow?

Answer 3

A curved path because the horizontal velocity remains constant, while the vertical velocity is affected by g

Question 4

How do you solve a problem with projectile motion at an angle?

Answer 4

1. Resolve the initial velocity into horizontal and vertical components
2. Use the vertical component to work out how long its in the air/how high it goes
3. Use the horizontal component to work out how far it goes in the horizontal direction

Question 5

How does air resistance affect projectile motion?

Answer 5

Air resistance causes a drag force that acts in the opposite direction to motion and affects the trajectory of a projectile and reduces the horizontal distance the projectile can travel
If the projectile has a vertical component of velocity, drag reduces the maximum height the projectile will reach and steepens the angle of descent