Here's why:
* Gravity: The only force acting on a projectile in freefall is gravity, which pulls it downward. This force only affects the vertical component of the projectile's motion.
* Horizontal Velocity: The horizontal velocity of a projectile remains constant (ignoring air resistance) because there are no forces acting on it horizontally.
Think of it this way:
Imagine throwing a ball horizontally off a cliff. The ball will travel horizontally at a constant speed while simultaneously falling vertically due to gravity. The horizontal distance the ball travels and the time it takes to hit the ground are not affected by how fast you threw it horizontally.
Key Points:
* Independence of Motion: Vertical and horizontal motion are independent.
* Constant Horizontal Velocity: The horizontal velocity of a projectile remains constant in the absence of air resistance.
* Gravity Affects Vertical Motion: Gravity acts only on the vertical component of the projectile's motion.
Therefore, the vertical motion of a projectile is not dependent on its horizontal motion.
