Projectile Motion Components

Steps:

• Identify forces: Gravity acts vertically downward; no horizontal force when air resistance is ignored.
• Horizontal motion: No acceleration, so velocity remains constant.
• Vertical motion: Constant acceleration due to gravity (g ≈ 9.8 m/s² downward).
• Combine: Horizontal velocity constant; vertical acceleration constant downward.

Why C is correct:

• Newton's first law ensures constant horizontal velocity (no net force); second law gives constant vertical acceleration from gravity (F = mg).

Why the others are wrong:

• A: Horizontal velocity is constant, not decelerating.
• B: Horizontal has no deceleration; vertical acceleration is constant, not varying.
• D: Vertical acceleration is constantly downward, not upward then increasing.

Final answer: C