If air resistance is negligible, the acceleration of all projectiles is exactly the same. True False
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer: True
When air resistance is negligible, the only force acting on a projectile is gravity. Gravity provides a constant downward acceleration, which is the same for all objects, regardless of their mass or shape. This acceleration due to gravity is approximately 9.8 m/s29.8 \, \text{m/s}^2 on Earth, and it is uniform for all objects in free fall.
In the absence of air resistance, no other forces influence the motion of the projectile, meaning that all objects experience the same acceleration. For example, if you drop two objects of different masses, such as a feather and a stone, in a vacuum, both will fall at the same rate, reaching the ground simultaneously. This is because gravity accelerates both objects at the same rate, independent of their mass.
This principle was famously demonstrated by Galileo, who conducted experiments showing that objects of different masses fall at the same rate when air resistance is not a factor. In the real world, however, air resistance plays a role, especially for lighter or more irregularly shaped objects. When air resistance is considered, it affects the motion differently based on the shape, size, and velocity of the projectile, causing lighter or larger objects to slow down more than heavier, more streamlined ones.
In the absence of air resistance, projectiles follow a parabolic path if they are launched at an angle. Their horizontal motion is unaffected by gravity, and they maintain a constant horizontal velocity. The vertical motion, however, is governed by the constant downward acceleration due to gravity. Thus, with negligible air resistance, the acceleration of all projectiles remains the same regardless of their individual properties.