Question

Which describes an object in projectile motion? Check all that apply.

Answer 1

Answer:

Gravity acts to pull the object down.

The object’s inertia carries it forward.

The path of the object is curved.

Explanation:

The motion of a projectile consists of two separate motions:

- A uniform motion along the horizontal direction, where the velocity is constant; since there are no forces along this direction, the velocity does not change, and so the object continues its motion for inertia --> so, the statement  "The object’s inertia carries it forward" is true.

- A uniformly accelerated motion along the vertical direction, with a constant downward acceleration (g=9.8 m/s^2, acceleration due to gravity). So, the vertical velocity changes, due to the presence of the gravity that acts to pull the object down.

- As a result of the combination of these two motions, the object follows a curved path (in particular, it is a parabolic path).