Forces that Affect a Body/Projectile in Motion - Gravity, Air Resistance Etc.

What is Force?

a pushing or pulling action that changes a body’s state of motion

Effect of a Projectile in Motion - Gravity

a constant downward force that brings a projectile back to the ground at 9.8m/sec²

Effect of a Projectile in Motion - Air Resistance

• when a projectile moves through the air, it has to push against it which creates a force called air resistance

• the faster a projectile moves, the stronger the air resistance becomes which slows a projectile down

Effect of a Projectile in Motion - Spin

• as a projectile spins, air moves past it at different speeds causing variations in its trajectory

• air will move faster past the projectile in the direction of the spin due to the principle of high pressure moving to low pressure

Effect of a Projectile in Motion - Surface Area

the larger the surface area of a projectile, the more it is affected by air resistance as there is greater distance for air to move around it

Effect of a Projectile in Motion - Nature of Surface Area

a rough surfaced projectile experiences more air resistance than a smooth surface as it disrupts the air flow more causing it to slow down quicker during flight