Question

Which of the following statements are true of a projectile's acceleration? Include all that apply.

1) The acceleration of a projectile is always directed downward.
2) The acceleration of a projectile is constant throughout its motion.
3) The acceleration of a projectile is zero at the highest point of its trajectory.
4) The acceleration of a projectile is always equal to the acceleration due to gravity.

Answer 1

The statements that are true of a projectile's acceleration are: it is always directed downward, it is zero at the highest point of its trajectory, and it is always equal to the acceleration due to gravity.

Step-by-step explanation:

Of the given statements, the true ones are:

1. The acceleration of a projectile is always directed downward. This is because the only force acting on a projectile is gravity, which pulls the projectile downward.
2. The acceleration of a projectile is zero at the highest point of its trajectory. At the highest point, the projectile momentarily stops moving vertically and starts to fall back down, so its acceleration in the y-direction is zero.
3. The acceleration of a projectile is always equal to the acceleration due to gravity. Regardless of the initial speed or angle of projection, the acceleration due to gravity is always the same, and it acts on the projectile throughout its motion.