Final answer:
The graph of horizontal position vs. time in projectile motion is a straight line, representing a constant horizontal velocity.
Step-by-step explanation:
When describing the shape of the graph of horizontal position vs. time in projectile motion, it's important to understand that projectile motion can be broken down into two components: horizontal and vertical. Since there is no acceleration in the horizontal direction (assuming no air resistance), the horizontal velocity remains constant. Therefore, the graph of horizontal position vs. time for a projectile in motion is a straight line with a slope equal to the constant horizontal velocity.
The graph of horizontal position vs. time in projectile motion typically takes the form of a straight line. When an object is projected horizontally or at an angle to the horizontal, neglecting air resistance, the horizontal motion is constant, assuming there is no acceleration or deceleration in the horizontal direction.
In projectile motion, the horizontal velocity is constant, meaning the object travels at a constant rate horizontally. As a result, the horizontal position increases linearly with time. The equation that describes this relationship is:
Horizontal Position=Initial Horizontal Velocity×Time
Horizontal Position=Initial Horizontal Velocity×Time
In a graph where time is on the x-axis and horizontal position is on the y-axis, you would see a straight line with a slope equal to the initial horizontal velocity. This assumes, as mentioned earlier, that there is no air resistance and no other horizontal forces acting on the projectile.
It's important to note that the vertical motion in projectile motion follows a different pattern, typically described by a parabolic shape due to the influence of gravity. The combination of the linear horizontal motion and parabolic vertical motion results in the characteristic curved trajectory seen in projectile motion.