Final answer:
The acceleration of a projectile at the top of its arc is equal to the acceleration due to gravity. The acceleration of the projectile at the top of its arc is equal to the acceleration due to gravity, approximately 9.81 m/s^2 downward.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a projectile reaches the top of its arc, its acceleration is equal to the acceleration due to gravity, which is approximately 9.8 m/s². This means that the projectile is accelerating downward at the top of its path.
The acceleration of the projectile at the top of its arc is equal to the acceleration due to gravity, approximately 9.81 m/s^2 downward.
The question concerns the topic of projectile motion, in which a projectile is launched with a certain initial velocity at an angle above the horizontal. Specifically, the student is asking about the acceleration of a projectile at the top of its arc after being launched at an initial speed of 20 m/s at an angle of 37 degrees above the horizontal.
At the top of its arc, the vertical component of the projectile's velocity is zero, but it is still subject to the constant acceleration due to gravity. Therefore, the acceleration is equal to the acceleration due to gravity, which is approximately 9.81 m/s2 downward. It's important to note that acceleration due to gravity is always acting on the projectile throughout its motion, regardless of its position along the arc.