Projectile motion is the motion of an object thrown or launched into the air. The object follows a curved path called a trajectory, which is typically parabolic in shape. In ideal conditions, only gravity affects the motion, pulling the object downward with constant acceleration.
Projectile motion can be analyzed by breaking it into two independent components. The horizontal motion has constant velocity with no acceleration, while the vertical motion experiences constant downward acceleration due to gravity. These two motions combine to create the parabolic trajectory we observe.
The motion of projectiles follows specific mathematical equations. The horizontal position depends on the initial velocity and launch angle. The vertical position includes the effect of gravity. The range and maximum height can be calculated using these fundamental equations, which are essential for predicting projectile behavior.
The launch angle significantly affects the projectile's trajectory. A 45-degree angle provides the maximum range for projectiles launched from ground level. Higher angles create steeper trajectories with greater height but shorter range, while lower angles produce flatter paths with less height but may not achieve maximum distance.
To summarize projectile motion: objects follow parabolic trajectories under gravity's influence. The motion consists of independent horizontal and vertical components, with constant horizontal velocity and accelerating vertical motion. Understanding these principles helps predict where projectiles will land and how high they will travel.