Final answer:
A projectile is an object projected into the air and influenced by gravity alone after launch. Three factors influencing its trajectory are the launch angle, the initial speed, and gravity. These factors are crucial for calculating a projectile's motion.
Step-by-step explanation:
A projectile is any object thrown or projected into the air, subject only to the acceleration of gravity after its initial launch. When we refer to projectile motion, we are focusing on the two-dimensional motion of an object, such as a football, which is a form of projectile motion where air resistance is considered negligible. The path that the projectile follows is known as its trajectory.
Three significant factors that influence the trajectory of a projectile include:
- Launch Angle: The angle at which a projectile is launched greatly affects its range and maximum height. For a fixed initial speed, different angles will provide different ranges. Typically, a 45-degree angle maximizes the range of a projectile in the absence of air resistance.
- Initial Speed: The speed with which a projectile is launched impacts how far and how high the projectile will travel. Higher initial speeds result in greater distances covered and higher trajectories.
- Gravity: The constant acceleration due to gravity influences the vertical component of projectile motion, pulling the projectile down and thus affecting its maximum height and the overall time it stays in the air.
Understanding these factors is essential for solving problems involving projectile motion and can explain the motions seen in various sports and engineering applications.