Projectile motion

Definition

Projectile motion refers to the curved path that an object follows when it is thrown or launched into the air, under the influence of gravity, and with no other forces acting on it.

Analogy

Imagine throwing a ball up in the air. As it goes up and comes back down, its path forms a curve. This curved path is similar to projectile motion.

Related terms

Trajectory: The trajectory of a projectile refers to the path it takes through space. It can be represented as a parabolic curve.

Parametric equations: In projectile motion, parametric equations are used to describe the position of an object at any given time during its flight. These equations involve variables such as time, initial velocity, and angle of projection.

Range: The range of a projectile is the horizontal distance covered by the object before it hits the ground. It depends on factors such as initial velocity and launch angle.