simple physics for those who dare try?

J

Jessica Monique!

New member
State which of the following quantities, if any, remain constant as a projectile moves through its parabolic trajectory:

acceleration

speed

horizontal component of velocity

vertical component of velocity
I need to know physics because i am taking summer classes to get some units out of the way thank you guys very much =)
 
With the exception of friction from the air, I'd say horizontal velocity and vertical acceleration. If you were to shoot a rock out of a slingshot and you'd think it reaches a critical velocity pretty quickly, but in addition to it's inertia keeping it moving forward, a second force brings it downward. This results in a continuous horizontal velocity, while both the vertical velocity (in this case, down) and thus the overall speed increase. Plus, gravity pulls at a constant acceleration (I think it's 9.3 feet/sec squared, but don't quote me on that)
Why do you need to know physics in the summer?
 
Acceleration---I think it remains constant since its naturally moving through a parabolic because the acceleration is from the gravity.
Speed---Its not constant...Its increasing until it stops.
Horizontal com---Its constant since after it flies out, it is not affected by any force in the horizontal direction.
Vertical----No its not constant cuz of the gravity giving acceleration
 
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