Question

A particle is projected in air at some angle to the horizontal, moves along parabola as shown in figure, where x and y indicate horizontal and vertical directions, respectively. Show in the diagram, direction of velocity and acceleration at points A, B and C.

Answer 1

In projectile motion, horizontal component of velocity will always be constant and acceleration is always vertically downward and is equal to g. The direction of velocity will always be tangential to the curve in the direction of motion.

As shown in the diagram in which a particle is projected at an angle of θ.

v_x = Horizontal component of velocity

= v cos θ = constant

v_y = Vertical component of velocity

= v sin θ