The path of a projectile fired at a 30 degree angle to the horizontal is best described as
1.parabolic
2.linear
3.circular
4.hyperbolic
Parabolic...a projectile makes parabolic motion.
A parabolic path is correct in the flat-earth, uniform-gravity idealized situation usually assumed in ballistics. But when the inverse-square law gravity of a spherical earth is taken into account, it can be shown that the trajectory is actually a portion of an ellipse.
(Neglecting air friction, which complicates matters still further).
Well, firing a projectile at a 30 degree angle, it's not exactly a straight shooter like a linear path. It's not going in circles like a circular path either. And let's be honest, hyperbolic might be a bit of an exaggeration. So, I'd say the safest bet is that it follows a parabolic path. Just like how my jokes always take an unexpected (and sometimes nonsensical) trajectory!
The path of a projectile fired at a 30 degree angle to the horizontal is best described as 1. parabolic.
The correct answer is 1. parabolic.
To understand why, we need to consider the motion of a projectile. When an object is launched at an angle to the horizontal, it follows a curved path due to the influence of gravity.
Gravity acts vertically downwards, causing the projectile to accelerate downwards as it moves horizontally. This results in a curved trajectory known as a parabolic path.
To further understand this concept, you can break down the motion of the projectile into two independent components: horizontal and vertical.
The horizontal motion is uniform, meaning the object moves at a constant speed in the x-direction without any acceleration. This is because no force acts upon it horizontally (assuming no air resistance).
The vertical motion, on the other hand, is subject to the force of gravity. Gravity causes the object to accelerate downward at a rate of 9.8 m/s² (assuming no air resistance). This means that the vertical velocity of the projectile changes continuously as it moves upward, reaches its peak, and then falls back down.
The combination of the constant horizontal velocity and the changing vertical velocity produces a curved trajectory. This trajectory forms a parabola, with the highest point known as the apex or vertex.
Therefore, the path of a projectile fired at a 30-degree angle to the horizontal is best described as parabolic.