Question

A projectile is launched horizontally at 32 m/s off a 350-foot cliff. What is the initial velocity of the projectile in the y-direction?

a) 0 m/s
b) 9.8 m/s²
c) 32 m/s
d) 350 m/s

Answer 1

The initial velocity of the projectile in the y-direction during a horizontal launch is 0 m/s, since it starts with horizontal velocity only.

Step-by-step explanation:

The initial velocity of the projectile in the y-direction when it is launched horizontally off a 350-foot cliff at 32 m/s is 0 m/s. This is because in a horizontal launch, the projectile has no initial vertical component of velocity; it starts with a horizontal velocity only. The gravitational acceleration, which is 9.8 m/s2 (not 9.8 m/s), will only come into effect after the projectile begins its motion, causing it to accelerate downwards as it moves horizontally.