Question

For general projectile motion, when the projectile is at the highest point of its trajectory, what can be said about its velocity and acceleration?

1) The velocity is zero and the acceleration is zero
2) The velocity is zero and the acceleration is non-zero
3) The velocity is non-zero and the acceleration is zero
4) The velocity is non-zero and the acceleration is non-zero

Answer 1

At the highest point of its trajectory in projectile motion, a projectile has a velocity that is non-zero due to its horizontal component, while the acceleration is non-zero and is due to gravity.

Step-by-step explanation:

In projectile motion, at the highest point of the projectile's trajectory, the vertical component of the velocity is zero because it has reached its peak and is about to start descending. However, unless the projectile was fired straight up, there is still a horizontal component of velocity, meaning the total velocity is non-zero.

At the same time, the acceleration is non-zero because gravity is still acting on the projectile, pulling it down towards Earth. Gravity provides a constant acceleration of approximately 9.81 m/s2 downwards, even at the highest point.