1. Horizontal Motion:
* Constant Velocity: In the absence of air resistance, the horizontal velocity of a projectile remains constant throughout its flight. This is because there is no horizontal force acting on it.
* Uniform Motion: Since the velocity is constant, the horizontal motion is described as uniform motion. This means the projectile covers equal distances in equal time intervals.
2. Vertical Motion:
* Constant Acceleration due to Gravity: The vertical motion of a projectile is influenced by gravity, which causes a constant downward acceleration of approximately 9.8 m/s². This acceleration affects the projectile's vertical velocity, causing it to slow down as it goes up and speed up as it comes down.
* Non-Uniform Motion: Due to the constant acceleration of gravity, the vertical motion is non-uniform. The projectile covers increasing distances in equal time intervals as it falls and decreasing distances as it rises.
Combined Effect:
The combination of these two motions results in the characteristic parabolic trajectory of a projectile. The horizontal motion determines the range of the projectile (the horizontal distance traveled), while the vertical motion determines the maximum height reached and the time of flight.
Important Note: In real-world scenarios, air resistance plays a significant role and can significantly affect the trajectory of a projectile. This force acts in the opposite direction of the projectile's motion, slowing it down and altering its path. However, in simplified models, air resistance is often ignored for ease of calculation.