Objects the exhibit projectile motion follow a __ path. A. diagonal B. parabolic C. perpendicular D. tangential
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer: B. parabolic
Explanation:
Objects that exhibit projectile motion follow a parabolic path. This is due to the influence of gravity acting on an object that is moving horizontally and vertically at the same time. When a projectile is launched, it moves forward due to its initial velocity, while gravity simultaneously pulls it downward. These two motions—horizontal and vertical—combine to form a curved path called a parabola.
The horizontal motion of a projectile is constant because no external horizontal forces (like air resistance, in ideal conditions) are acting to slow it down. On the other hand, the vertical motion is influenced by gravity, which causes the object to accelerate downward at a constant rate (9.8 meters per second squared near Earth’s surface). As a result, the vertical speed changes over time: it decreases on the way up, becomes zero at the peak, and increases on the way down.
Mathematically, this combination of constant horizontal velocity and accelerated vertical motion results in a path that can be described by a quadratic equation. The shape created by this equation is a parabola.
Let’s break this down with a simple example. If a ball is thrown at an angle into the air, it goes up, slows down, stops momentarily at the top, and then comes back down. The path traced by the ball from the moment it leaves the hand to the moment it lands on the ground is parabolic. This same principle applies to all projectiles, whether they are arrows, cannonballs, or basketballs in flight.
In summary, projectile motion always traces a parabolic path, making option B the correct answer. The other options—diagonal, perpendicular, and tangential—do not accurately describe the overall motion of a projectile.
