In a vacuum, what happens to a projectile's horizontal motion compared to its vertical motion?

In a vacuum, what happens to a projectile's horizontal motion compared to its vertical motion?

• A. It increases due to gravitational forces
• B. It is unaffected by vertical motion
• C. They are both equally slowed down
• D. Both components are subject to the same acceleration

Answer: (B)

In a vacuum, the behavior of a projectile's motion can be understood by considering the independence of its horizontal and vertical components. When an object is projected, the horizontal motion remains constant because there are no horizontal forces acting on it in a vacuum. This means the projectile travels horizontally at a constant velocity throughout its flight. In contrast, the vertical motion is influenced solely by the force of gravity, which causes the projectile to accelerate downward at a constant rate (approximately 9.81 m/s²). However, this vertical acceleration does not affect the horizontal motion, which continues at its initial uniform speed. Thus, the comparison reveals that while the vertical motion changes due to gravity, the horizontal motion is unaffected by it. This understanding underscores the fact that the two components of motion operate independently of each other in the absence of air resistance or other forces, hence the correct answer reflects that the horizontal motion is unaffected by the vertical motion.

In a vacuum, the behavior of a projectile's motion can be understood by considering the independence of its horizontal and vertical components. When an object is projected, the horizontal motion remains constant because there are no horizontal forces acting on it in a vacuum. This means the projectile travels horizontally at a constant velocity throughout its flight.

In contrast, the vertical motion is influenced solely by the force of gravity, which causes the projectile to accelerate downward at a constant rate (approximately 9.81 m/s²). However, this vertical acceleration does not affect the horizontal motion, which continues at its initial uniform speed.

Thus, the comparison reveals that while the vertical motion changes due to gravity, the horizontal motion is unaffected by it. This understanding underscores the fact that the two components of motion operate independently of each other in the absence of air resistance or other forces, hence the correct answer reflects that the horizontal motion is unaffected by the vertical motion.