Question

The acceleration vector of a particle in projectile motion ________.

Answer 1

Answer:

Points downward, and its magnitude is 9.8 m/s^2

Explanation:

The motion of a projectile consists of two independent motions:

- A uniform horizontal motion, with constant velocity and zero acceleration. In fact, there are no forces acting on the projectile along the horizontal direction (if we neglect air resistance), so the acceleration along this direction is zero.

- A vertical motion, with constant acceleration g = 9.8 m/s^2 towards the ground (downward), due to the presence of gravity wich "pulls" the projectile downward.

The total acceleration of the projectile is given by the resultant of the horizontal and vertical components of the acceleration. But we said that the horizontal component is zero, therefore the total acceleration corresponds just to its vertical component, therefore it is a vector with magnitude 9.8 m/s^2 which points downward.