Projectiles move in
parabolic paths that can be
analysed by considering the
horizontal and vertical
components of the motion
if air resistance is ignored, the only force
on a projectile is its weight, i.e the force of
gravity, Force of g or W. This results in the
projectile having a vertical acceleration
oof 9.8 m s - 2 down during its flight.
The horizontal speed of a projectile
remains constant throughout its flight
if air resistance is ignored.
An object initially moving horizontally, but
free to fall will fall at the exact same, rate
and in the same time as an object falling
vertically from the same height.
At the point of maximum height, a
projectile is moving horizontally. Its
velocity at this point is given by the
horizontal components of its velocity as
the vertical component equals 0.
When air resistance is significant the net force acting on a projectile will not be
vertically down, nor will its acceleration. Under these conditions, the path of the
projectile is not parabolic.