Question

Compared to a launch angle for an object sent into the air at 45 degrees, an object launched at 50 degrees would:

1) travel the same horizontal distance
2) travel a smaller vertical distance
3) spend more time in the air
4) travel a greater horizontal distance

Answer 1

A projectile launched at 50 degrees would spend more time in the air and travel a smaller horizontal distance compared to one launched at 45 degrees, given that 45 degrees is the optimal angle for maximum range.

Step-by-step explanation:

When comparing an object launched into the air at angles of 45 degrees and 50 degrees, with other factors like initial speed and air resistance being equal, the projectile launched at 50 degrees would spend more time in the air and travel a smaller horizontal distance. This is because the optimal angle for maximum horizontal distance, or range, without air resistance is 45 degrees. At launch angles above 45 degrees, the projectile spends more time in the air, which increases the vertical distance, but the horizontal distance decreases. This is corroborated by the concept that projectiles launched at complementary angles (those that add up to 90 degrees) have the same range; hence, a launch at 50 degrees yields a lesser range than at 45 degrees.