Projectile Motion and Collisions

These flashcards cover key concepts and vocabulary related to projectile motion, momentum, collisions, and energy transformations.

Projectile Motion

The motion of an object through the air under the influence of gravity, characterized by both horizontal and vertical components.

Horizontal Motion

Motion that occurs parallel to the ground, moving at a constant velocity with no horizontal acceleration if air resistance is ignored.

Vertical Motion

Motion that occurs in the upward or downward direction, affected by gravity, which causes a constant downward acceleration of 9.8 m/s².

Parabolic Trajectory

The curved path followed by a projectile under the influence of gravity.

Angle of Release

The angle at which a projectile is launched; affects both the maximum height and range of the projectile.

Impulse

The product of force and time; represents the change in momentum of an object.

Momentum

The quantity of motion an object has, defined as the product of its mass and velocity.

Perfectly Inelastic Collision

A type of collision where two objects stick together after colliding, moving with a common velocity.

Elastic Collision

A type of collision in which two objects bounce apart after the collision.

Energy Transformation

The process of changing energy from one form to another, such as potential energy converting to kinetic energy when an object falls.

Conservation of Momentum

The principle that the total momentum of a closed system remains constant before and after a collision.

Complementary Angles

Two angles that produce the same range when projected, such as 30° and 60°.

Kinetic Energy

The energy possessed by an object due to its motion.

Potential Energy

The stored energy of an object due to its position or state.

Time of Flight

The total time a projectile is in the air from launch to landing.

Maximum Height

The highest point a projectile reaches during its trajectory.

Range

The horizontal distance a projectile travels before hitting the ground.