Why does the horizontal component of velocity remain constant

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If there is no external force on the particle then its state will not change according to the Law of Inertia. So if it is at rest then it will remain in rest OR if it was moving with some velocity then it will continue to move forever with that constant velocity. In case of projectile motion the vertical component of particle's velocity changes continuously because of the force acting in vertical direction which is its own weight mg.

But in the horizontal direction as there is no force acting on the object ; its horizontal velocity remains constant. Why is horizontal velocity constant in projectile motion? Physics 2D Motion Projectile Motion.

Kalit Gautam. These values are x- and y- components of the initial velocity and will be discussed in more detail in the next part of this lesson. Again, the important concept depicted in the above diagram is that the horizontal velocity remains constant during the course of the trajectory and the vertical velocity changes by 9. The numerical information in both the diagram and the table above further illustrate the two key principles of projectile motion - there is a horizontal velocity that is constant and a vertical velocity that changes by 9.

As the projectile rises towards its peak, it is slowing down Finally, the symmetrical nature of the projectile's motion can be seen in the diagram above: the vertical speed one second before reaching its peak is the same as the vertical speed one second after falling from its peak.

The vertical speed two seconds before reaching its peak is the same as the vertical speed two seconds after falling from its peak. These concepts are further illustrated by the diagram below for a non-horizontally launched projectile that lands at the same height as which it is launched. The above diagrams, tables, and discussion pertain to how the horizontal and vertical components of the velocity vector change with time during the course of projectile's trajectory.

Another vector quantity that can be discussed is the displacement. The numerical description of the displacement of a projectile is discussed in the next section of Lesson 2. Physics Tutorial. My Cart Subscription Selection. Student Extras. What is a Projectile? We Would Like to Suggest