As a projectile moves in its path, is there any point along the path where the velocity and acceleration......

Question

As a projectile moves in its path, is there any point along the path where the velocity and acceleration vectors are parallel to each other?

I suck at this physics stuff.... I know the perpendicular to each other is THE HIGHEST POINT. But... I can't put two and two together. Hoping someone knows this stuff better than me. Would it be the lowest point or when it is the same? or?? lol

Answer 1

Assuming that the projectile is not a rocket or a bird (or something else that has a means of propelling itself), the only force acting on it is gravity. So the only force accelerating it is a force acting directly downward.

As another responder pointed out, this acceleration will not be parallel to the object's path, unless it happens to be going straight up or straight down.

Actually, there is another force that accelerates the object (decelerates it, actually), and that is the force of wind resistance. This force will act parallel to the object's velocity, and in the opposite direction (with minor differences for irregularly shaped objects). But unless the force of gravity is zero, the TOTAL of the forces acting on the object will not be parallel to the object's velocity.

Answer 2

The acceleration is due to gravity, which is always toward the ground. Unless the projectile is heading straight toward the ground (not at an angle), the vel and accel will never be parallel.

This can only occur if you fire the projectile straight up; the vectors will be parallel when it is on it's way down.

Answer 3

Unless the the projectile is fired straight up, the velocity will never be parallel to the acceleration.

Answer 4

The projectile has a continuing vertical downward acceleration vector Its speed with which it quite is shifting by area has a vertical and a horizontal speed element. on the utmost area of its shuttle , the vertical speed element is 0. for this reason it has a vertical downward acceleration vector and a horizontal speed vector . as a results of fact vertical and horizontal guidelines are at ideal angles , it quite is at this element alongside its course that the speed and acceleration vectors for the projectile are perpendicular to a minimum of one yet another.

Answer 5

not unless its fired straight up