Projectile motion refers to the curved path that a tennis ball follows when thrown or hit. It is caused by the combination of the ball's initial velocity, gravity, and air resistance.
The trajectory of a tennis ball can be calculated using equations of motion, taking into account the initial velocity, angle of release, and gravitational acceleration. Factors such as air resistance and spin can also affect the trajectory.
The height and angle of release can greatly impact the distance a tennis ball travels. A higher height of release and a lower angle of release will result in a longer distance traveled due to the ball having a longer time in the air and a flatter trajectory. On the other hand, a lower height of release and a higher angle of release will result in a shorter distance traveled.
Yes, air resistance does affect the trajectory of a tennis ball. The more surface area the ball has, the more air resistance it will experience, causing it to slow down and have a shorter distance traveled. This is why tennis balls with less air resistance, such as those used on clay courts, tend to travel faster and farther.
Spin can greatly affect the trajectory of a tennis ball. Topspin, where the ball rotates forward, can cause the ball to dip earlier and bounce higher, while backspin, where the ball rotates backward, can cause the ball to float and bounce lower. Sidespin can also cause the ball to curve in a certain direction, making it more difficult for the opponent to return.