Projectile Motion

Question 1

Air resistance

Answer 1

Resistance one experiences when they are moving through air. It is such a small amount that it is neglected unless otherwise specified

Question 2

Apex

Answer 2

the highest point

Question 3

Drag

Answer 3

is always opposite to the object’s motion, and unlike friction between solid surfaces, the drag force increases as the object moves faster. Air resistance, also known as drag

Question 4

Horizontal Trajectory

Answer 4

in a projectile motion, horizontal velocity is always constant because the acceleration due to gravity is not acting on it

Question 5

Range-release angle theory

Answer 5

when projecting an object, to get maximum range, release the object at 45 degrees

Question 6

relative projection height

Answer 6

The difference between the height from which an object is initially projected into the air and the height at which it lands or stops. The greater the relative projection height, the longer the flight time and the greater the horizontal displacement of a projectile

Question 7

Terminal Velocity

Answer 7

the maximum speed a falling object can experience because air resistance is equal to that of the weight of the object

Question 8

Why is a bird flying through the air, NOT a projectile?

Answer 8

A bird is using it’s wings to propel itself forward, so it’s horizontal velocity may or may not be constant. It is also not falling, so it is resisting the force of gravity

Question 9

List an example of a sport or situation in which maximizing a projectile’s time in the air is important.

Answer 9

In jumping sports like high jump or long jump, the more time spent in the air will result in a longer vertical or horizontal distance

Question 10

List an example of a sport or situation in which minimizing a projectile’s time in the air is important.

Answer 10

Speed sports like sprinting where you want to include an entire stride in the shortest amount of time

Question 11

How do athletes or performers affect the flight path of a projectile?

Answer 11

People can alter how their body moves before take off and during the projectile path in order to affect their flight path. Different angles and body position will result differently.

Question 12

You measure the instantaneous velocity of an athlete performing an action. What kind of information
do you get when you differentiate? What kind of information do you get when you integrate?

Answer 12

when you differentiate, you get acceleration and when you integrate, you get displacement