1. General Physics Projectile Motion

2. What is a Projectile? Name examples of projectiles. A projectile has a constant horizontal velocity. A projectile has accelerated vertical motion.

3. The Horizontal Velocity It is constant. We must again neglect the air resistance. There is no other means present to change the horizontal velocity.

4. The Vertical Velocity This part of the motion is accelerated. By What? Gravity! This part is exactly like Free Fall. Vertical speed decreases on the way up Vertical speed increases on the way down.

5. Velocity Components We have been discussing the components of a projectile’s velocity. Why can we separate the velocity into its components? Because one does not affect the other.

6. Independent Velocity Demonstration Watch this demonstration. One ball dropped straight down while other is simultaneously fired horizontally. Which will hit the floor first? What is the “trick”? They both fall from rest.

7. Two-Dimensional Picture When the two components are viewed together, the projectile follows a curve. What is the name of the curve? A Parabola. Check out the video.