What is an example of a projectile?

What is an example of a projectile?

• A. A car driving on a flat road
• B. A ball thrown at an angle
• C. A person walking
• D. An airplane flying in the sky

Answer: (B)

A projectile is defined as an object that is thrown into the air with an initial velocity and is influenced only by the forces of gravity and air resistance after being launched. In this context, a ball thrown at an angle is an ideal example of a projectile because it follows a curved trajectory (a parabola) as it moves under the influence of these forces. When the ball is thrown, it is given an initial velocity, and as it ascends, gravity pulls it back down, resulting in an arc-like path until it lands. The only significant forces acting on it after the throw are the force of gravity acting downward and air resistance acting in the opposite direction of its motion. Other scenarios, like a car driving on a flat road, involve continuous propulsion and are not governed solely by projectile motion principles. A person walking also does not fit the projectile definition, as this motion is controlled by the person's own movement and does not involve being launched. An airplane in flight is maintained in the air by its engines and lift from its wings, differing fundamentally from projectile motion, as it is not simply following a path under the influence of gravity alone.

A projectile is defined as an object that is thrown into the air with an initial velocity and is influenced only by the forces of gravity and air resistance after being launched. In this context, a ball thrown at an angle is an ideal example of a projectile because it follows a curved trajectory (a parabola) as it moves under the influence of these forces.

When the ball is thrown, it is given an initial velocity, and as it ascends, gravity pulls it back down, resulting in an arc-like path until it lands. The only significant forces acting on it after the throw are the force of gravity acting downward and air resistance acting in the opposite direction of its motion.

Other scenarios, like a car driving on a flat road, involve continuous propulsion and are not governed solely by projectile motion principles. A person walking also does not fit the projectile definition, as this motion is controlled by the person's own movement and does not involve being launched. An airplane in flight is maintained in the air by its engines and lift from its wings, differing fundamentally from projectile motion, as it is not simply following a path under the influence of gravity alone.