Here's why:
* Projectile Motion: A projectile is an object that is launched into the air and then allowed to move freely under the influence of gravity.
* Neglecting Air Resistance: In ideal projectile motion, we usually ignore air resistance. This means the only force acting on the projectile is gravity.
* Constant Acceleration: Gravity provides a constant downward acceleration, denoted by 'g' (approximately 9.8 m/s² near the Earth's surface).
How Gravity Affects Projectile Motion:
* Vertical Motion: Gravity directly affects the vertical motion of a projectile. The projectile's upward velocity decreases due to gravity, eventually reaching zero at the highest point of its trajectory. Then, gravity accelerates the projectile downwards.
* Horizontal Motion: In ideal projectile motion, gravity does not affect the horizontal motion. This means the projectile's horizontal velocity remains constant throughout its flight.
Important Note: In real-world scenarios, air resistance can significantly affect the motion of a projectile. Air resistance provides a force that opposes the motion of the projectile, causing it to slow down and deviate from its ideal path.
