Physics of Projectiles and Orbital Motion: Trajectory, Gravity, and Newton's Law

What is a projectile?

Any object shot through the air with a non-zero initial velocity whose acceleration is due to gravity alone.

What force acts on a projectile once it is in the air?

Gravity is the only force acting on the object.

What is the trajectory of a projectile?

The trajectory is the parabolic path (arc) that the projectile follows due to gravity.

Does the mass of an object affect its trajectory?

No, the mass of an object does not affect its trajectory.

What are the two directions of motion for projectiles?

Projectiles have constant horizontal velocity and uniformly changing vertical velocity.

What is the acceleration due to gravity for projectiles?

The acceleration due to gravity is approximately -9.8 m/s².

What dimensions do we need to solve for in projectile motion?

We need to solve for unknowns in both horizontal (x) and vertical (y) dimensions.

How does Newton's cannon example relate to projectiles?

A satellite is like a projectile but stays in orbit at a constant distance from the Earth.

What is the relationship between Newton's Law of Gravitation and Circular Motion?

The relationship is defined by the equation Fnet = ma, where gravitational force equals centripetal force.

What is the formula for gravitational force between two masses?

The formula is F = G(m1 * m2) / r².

What does ac represent in the context of circular motion?

ac represents the centripetal acceleration of an object in circular motion.