Projectile Maximum Height: True or False Explanation

[sundrops]

The maximum height reached by a projectile depends on the horizontal velocity component.

True or False


Here's my reasoning - the maximum height is reached when y=0, so in that case the maximum height depends on the horizontal velocity component. I'd like to hear your guys thoughts on this. I only get 1 shot at getting this right so I want to hear what you guys think!

 

[dextercioby]

FALSE.Can u see why?

Daniel.

 

[sundrops]

is it because of gravity?

 

[dextercioby]

Since it's the only force acting on the projectile (neglecting Magnus effect,aerodynamic force,Stokes force,Coriolis force) i'd say yes...

Daniel.

 

[cepheid]

Yeah...the KEY point of projectile motion as modeled in school is that horizontal and vertical components of the projectile's velocity are independent. That's what they want you to remember.

 

[sundrops]

alright thanks guys

 

[Tide]

Since it's the only force acting on the projectile (neglecting Magnus effect,aerodynamic force,Stokes force,Coriolis force) i'd say yes...

Daniel.

You left out the finite size of the planet which brings the inverse square law into play! :-)

 

[dextercioby]

He asked me about gravity,not the inverse square law and where it comes from...And besides,everything reduces to solving Einstein's equations,right...??

Daniel.

 

[marlon]

You left out the finite size of the planet which brings the inverse square law into play! :-)

and to continue dexter's nitpicking, he also forgot to incorporate the fact that the Earth is not a perfect sphere...Where are them Legendre-terms in the potential ?


marlon

 

[dextercioby]

"The maximum height reached by a projectile depends on the horizontal velocity component."

Do you see any Earth nonspherical,here?

Daniel.

 

[marlon]

do you see any coriolis,blablabla here ?

gravity also changes when you take into account a non-spherical earth

marlon

 

[dextercioby]

The PLANET/celestial body (with atmosphere) A PRIORI SPHERICAL IS ASSUMED ROTATING...

I AGREE with the second part...

Daniel.