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How is the velocity vector related to the path of the projectile?

A) The velocity vector is perpendicular to the path.
B) The velocity vector is parallel to the path.
C) The velocity vector is tangential to the path.
D) The velocity vector is inversely proportional to the path.

1 Answer

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Final answer:

The velocity vector of a projectile is tangential to its path, indicating the instantaneous velocity and the direction of motion.

Step-by-step explanation:

The velocity vector is related to the path of the projectile in that it is always tangential to the path at any given point. This means that the velocity vector provides both the speed and direction of the projectile and is aligned with the instantaneous direction of movement. In uniform circular motion, the tangential velocity vector is always perpendicular to the radius of the circular path. Hence, for a projectile under gravity's influence, the velocity vector could change direction as the projectile moves, but it remains tangent to the curved trajectory at all times.

User Cameron Aavik
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