Chapter 5, Problem 32A

When air resistance acts on a projectile, does it affect the horizontal component of velocity, the vertical component of velocity, or both? Defend your answer.

To determine

The effect of air resistance on vertical and horizontal component of velocity.

Answer to Problem 32A

Air resistive force of the medium will effect both vertical as well as horizontal component of velocity in projectile motion.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

Air resistance has a major effect on the motion of many objects. The force of air resistance or air drag is the frictional force which slows down the motion of an object while travelling through the air.

Projectile motion is the motion in a plane with constant acceleration. During motion velocity of the projectile is changing continuously. Velocity of the projectile is divided into the two components namely component along x-axis and component along y-axis.The component along the x-axis is termed as horizontal component and the component along the y-axis is termed as vertical component. In the absence of air-resistance the path followed by projectile is a parabola

Air resistance depends upon the velocity with which the object is moving. It acts in the opposite direction of motion. If it is considered, then the path followed by projectile falls and it will be a solid curve instead of parabola. So, there will be decrease in range (that is determined by the horizontal component) and height (that is determined by the vertical component).

Conclusion:

Therefore, both the components will be reduced due to air resistance.