Projectile motion parabola shape

AI Thread Summary
The graph of projectile motion is parabolic due to the relationship between vertical and horizontal motion. In 2D projectile motion, the horizontal velocity remains constant while the vertical velocity decreases under gravity, leading to a quadratic relationship. The equation for maximum horizontal distance, s = (U^2 * sin(2θ)) / g, illustrates how distance varies with the angle of projection. When plotting vertical position against horizontal position, y varies quadratically with x, confirming the parabolic shape. Thus, the parabolic trajectory results from the interplay of constant horizontal motion and accelerating vertical motion.
stupif
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why the projectile motion's graph distance against inclination angle is parabola shape?
...thank you
 
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do u mean the shape of the distance x as a function of the angle ??
 
If you are talking about 2d projectile motion with distance v. time for any fixed angle above the horizontal then the graph will be a parabola because distance is quadratic in time i.e. d = v(initial)*t + 1/2*a*t^2.
 
ya~nerokid
 
Because the horizontal velocity of the projectile is constant and the vertical velocity continuously decreases because of gravity and hence the distance the projectile traveled in a given time keeps on decreasing and horizontal distance remains the same. This results in a parabolic trajectory.
Thank you.
 
Newton, my equation is s=([/2] (sin 2 angle))/ g
 
stupif said:
Newton, my equation is s=([/2] (sin 2 angle))/ g


That's the equation for the maximum horizontal distance the projectile will travel (its range).

But in order to determine the shape of the trajectory, you need to plot vertical postion vs. horizontal position (y vs. x).

y varies quadratically with time.

x varies linearly with time.

If you eliminate time as a variable, you'll find that y varies quadratically with x.
 
the lecturer only asks me why the graph of projectile motion is parabolic shape? then what answer should i give??
 
is it because of the graph is sin graph??s directly proportional to sin angle??
 
  • #10
stupif said:
the lecturer only asks me why the graph of projectile motion is parabolic shape? then what answer should i give??

I just explained why in my previous post.
 
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