In projectile motion, why we take y-component for 'TF'?

AI Thread Summary
In projectile motion, the time of flight is determined by the vertical component of motion, specifically the y-component, which is influenced by gravity. The equation for vertical motion, y = ut sinθ - 1/2 gt^2, shows how the vertical displacement affects the time it takes for the projectile to hit the ground. The time of flight is defined as the total elapsed time from launch to impact, measured by starting a stopwatch at launch and stopping it when the projectile lands. If only horizontal motion were considered, the projectile would never reach the ground, highlighting the importance of the vertical component. Therefore, understanding the y-component is crucial for accurately calculating the time of flight in projectile motion.
Indranil
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In projectile motion, we have two components one is x and another is y. x = u cosθ and y = u sinθ
But why do I take the' y' component for calculating the 'time of flight' not the 'x' component?
y = ut sinθ - 1/2 gt^2, t = 2u sinθ / g
 
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What determines the "time of flight" is when it hits the ground. And that involves the vertical motion. (If it only moved horizontally, then it would never hit the ground.)
 
What is meant by "time of flight?"
 
Chandra Prayaga said:
What is meant by "time of flight?"
The elapsed time between launch and impact. Start a stopwatch when the projectile is launched. Stop it when it lands. The reading on the stopwatch is the "time of flight".
 
Chandra Prayaga said:
What is meant by "time of flight?"
When a particle projected from any point [consider O] and reaches the same horizontal plane at any point [consoder B]. The total time taken to reach B is the time of flight.
 

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