1. Initial Upward Motion:
* Launch Velocity: The catapult imparts an initial velocity to the ball, giving it an upward component.
* Gravity's Counteract: Immediately after launch, gravity acts against the ball's upward motion, slowing it down. This deceleration causes the ball to reach its highest point (apex) eventually.
2. At the Apex:
* Zero Vertical Velocity: At the apex of its trajectory, the ball's vertical velocity momentarily becomes zero.
* Gravity's Dominance: Gravity continues to act downward, pulling the ball towards the Earth.
3. Downward Motion:
* Acceleration: As the ball descends, gravity accelerates it downward, increasing its speed. This acceleration is constant and approximately 9.8 m/s².
* Trajectory: The ball's path becomes a parabola, with the downward curve becoming steeper as gravity pulls it down.
4. Factors Affecting Trajectory:
* Launch Angle: The angle at which the ball is launched significantly affects the trajectory. A higher launch angle results in a higher apex and a longer flight time.
* Launch Velocity: A higher launch velocity leads to a longer range and a higher apex.
* Air Resistance: While not strictly gravity, air resistance opposes the ball's motion, slowing it down and affecting the overall trajectory.
In Summary: Gravity is the primary force acting on the ball after launch, dictating the shape of its trajectory, the time it stays in the air, and the distance it travels. It causes the ball to slow down as it goes up, stop momentarily at its highest point, and accelerate as it falls back down.
