Question

Answer the following questions. Use complete sentences.

Answer 1

Answer:

The motion of a projectile consists of two independent motions:

- A uniform motion (constant velocity) along the horizontal direction

- A uniformly accelerated motion (constant acceleration, equal to the acceleration due to gravity) along the vertical direction

In terms of vectors, we have the following:

Velocity:

- The horizontal velocity does not change - therefore, this vector is constant

- The vertical velocity changes, as the vertical motion is accelerated - therefore, this vector changes. This is because there is a downward force acting on the projectile, the force of gravity.

Acceleration:

- There is no acceleration along the horizontal direction, so here the vector is zero

- The acceleration along the vertical direction is constant, and it is $9.8 m/s^2$ in the downward direction (acceleration due to gravity)