Question

A cannon launches two projectiles with the same initial speed. Projectile A is launched at 20 degrees above the horizontal. Projectile B is launched at 70 degrees above the horizontal. Which projectile spends more time in the air?

A) Projectile A
B) Projectile B
C) Both spend the same time in the air
D) Cannot be determined

Answer 1

Projectile B, launched at 70 degrees, will spend more time in the air than Projectile A, which is launched at 20 degrees, because the time in the air is determined by the vertical component of the projectile's velocity. The correct option is B).

Step-by-step explanation:

The question asks which projectile launched from a cannon, one at 20 degrees and one at 70 degrees to the horizontal, spends more time in the air. Projectile B, which is launched at 70 degrees, spends more time in the air. The time a projectile spends in the air is determined only by its vertical motion.

A projectile launched at a steeper angle has a higher vertical component of velocity, which means it takes longer to rise to its peak and fall back down to its original elevation. Option B) is the correct one.