When analyzing projectile motion with varying mass, the horizontal distance traveled by an object shot at a constant velocity remains the same regardless of mass, assuming no air resistance. The horizontal component does not experience acceleration, keeping the initial velocity constant, while the vertical component is affected by gravity, which accelerates all masses equally. If two projectiles are fired at the same velocity, the heavier one may travel farther due to differences in aerodynamics, but this requires consideration of drag forces. The discussion highlights the complexity of incorporating drag, as two objects with the same mass but different shapes will behave differently in flight. Thus, simplifying these calculations without the drag equation is challenging.
