Select the correct answer.
A projectile is thrown at an angle 30° from horizontal. Which statement about its vertical component of velocity is true?
A. The magnitude of the vertical velocity decreases as the projectile moves upward.
B. The magnitude of the vertical velocity remains constant over time.
C. The magnitude of the vertical velocity decreases as the projectile moves downward.
D. The magnitude of the vertical velocity increases as the projectile moves upward.
Answer (2)
The projectile's vertical velocity decreases as it moves upward due to gravity.
At the peak, the vertical velocity is zero.
As the projectile descends, its vertical velocity increases due to gravity.
Therefore, the magnitude of the vertical velocity decreases as the projectile moves upward. A
Explanation
Understanding Projectile Motion When a projectile is launched at an angle, its initial velocity can be broken down into horizontal and vertical components. The vertical component is affected by gravity, which causes a constant downward acceleration.
Vertical Velocity Decreases Upward As the projectile moves upward, gravity acts against the initial upward vertical velocity. This causes the magnitude of the vertical velocity to decrease until it reaches zero at the peak of the trajectory.
Vertical Velocity Increases Downward As the projectile moves downward, gravity accelerates it downwards, causing the magnitude of the vertical velocity to increase.
Conclusion Therefore, the correct statement is that the magnitude of the vertical velocity decreases as the projectile moves upward.
Examples
Understanding projectile motion is crucial in sports like basketball or soccer, where players need to accurately aim their shots or passes. By knowing how gravity affects the vertical component of a ball's velocity, players can adjust the launch angle and initial velocity to reach the desired target. For example, a basketball player shooting a free throw needs to consider the distance to the hoop and the height of the hoop to determine the optimal launch angle and velocity for the ball.
The vertical component of a projectile's velocity decreases as it moves upward due to the influence of gravity. At its peak, the vertical velocity reaches zero before increasing again as the projectile descends. Thus, the correct answer is option A.
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