Final answer:
The optimum angle for launching a projectile to cover the maximum distance is 45 degrees.
Step-by-step explanation:
The optimum angle at which a projectile should be launched in order to cover the maximum distance is 45 degrees. This angle is known as the launch angle for maximum range. When a projectile is launched at this angle, it achieves the maximum horizontal distance traveled for a given initial velocity. This can be demonstrated by analyzing the horizontal and vertical components of the projectile's motion.
When a projectile is launched at 45 degrees, the initial velocity is divided equally between the horizontal and vertical components. This means that the horizontal velocity component remains constant throughout the motion, while the vertical velocity component changes due to the effect of gravity. As a result, the projectile spends the same amount of time in the air for both ascending and descending parts of the trajectory, leading to the maximum range.
Therefore, option B) 45 degrees is the correct answer for this question.