Projectile motion is the curved path a projectile takes when only influenced by
gravity, resulting in a parabolic trajectory. To analyze it, one must separate the
motion into two independent parts: constant horizontal velocity and changing
vertical velocity due to gravity. The initial launch speed and angle determine the
object's maximum height, range, and flight time.
Analyzing projectile motion
Horizontal motion: The object's horizontal velocity remains constant because
gravity does not have a horizontal effect (assuming no air resistance).
Vertical motion: The vertical motion is affected by gravity, causing a constant
downward acceleration. This means the upward vertical velocity decreases, becomes
zero at the peak of the trajectory, and then increases as the object falls.
Independent components: The horizontal and vertical components of the motion are
independent of each other and can be analyzed separately.
Key factors
Initial velocity: The speed and angle at which the object is launched are critical.
Gravity: The constant downward acceleration due to gravity is the only force acting
on the object in this idealized model.
Trajectory: The path followed by the projectile is a parabola.
Example
When a baseball is hit, its initial speed and angle determine how high it goes and
how far it travels. The analysis involves examining the constant horizontal speed
and the effect of gravity on its vertical motion to understand the overall flight
path.
