If air drag is a factor, how will it affect a projectile?

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Air drag significantly impacts a projectile's trajectory by altering its velocity and acceleration. As a projectile moves through the air, drag force opposes its motion, leading to a decrease in velocity over time. This force also affects acceleration, typically causing it to decrease until terminal velocity is reached, where the forces of drag and gravity balance. The discussion raises questions about whether air drag can influence velocity without affecting acceleration or vice versa, indicating a need for further research on the topic. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for accurate predictions in projectile motion.
rasalzari
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If air drag is a factor, how will it affect a projectile’s trajectory qualitatively? Its velocity? Its acceleration?
 
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If you think in the sense of terminal velocity, then it would prevent an object from going past a maximum velocity.
 
rasalzari said:
Its velocity? Its acceleration?
Can it affect one, but not the other?
 
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A.T. said:
Can it affect one, but not the other?
that i don't know i will research
 
For simple comparison, I think the same thought process can be followed as a block slides down a hill, - for block down hill, simple starting PE of mgh to final max KE 0.5mv^2 - comparing PE1 to max KE2 would result in finding the work friction did through the process. efficiency is just 100*KE2/PE1. If a mousetrap car travels along a flat surface, a starting PE of 0.5 k th^2 can be measured and maximum velocity of the car can also be measured. If energy efficiency is defined by...

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