In projectile motion with a horizontal launch, the overall motion of the projectile is a combination of which two types of motion?

• A. Horizontal accelerated motion and vertical accelerated motion
• B. Vertical uniform motion and horizontal accelerated motion
• C. Horizontal uniform motion and vertical accelerated motion due to $g$
• D. Uniform circular motion and vertical accelerated motion

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that in projectile motion with a horizontal launch, the projectile is launched horizontally from a certain height with an initial horizontal velocity but no initial vertical velocity.
2. Recognize that horizontally, there is no acceleration (ignoring air resistance), so the horizontal motion is uniform, meaning the horizontal velocity remains constant throughout the flight.
3. Identify that vertically, the projectile is influenced by gravity, which causes a constant downward acceleration denoted by \(g\) (approximately \(9.8\, m/s^2\)). This means the vertical motion is uniformly accelerated motion.
4. Combine these two independent motions: horizontal uniform motion (constant velocity) and vertical accelerated motion (due to gravity). The overall trajectory is a result of these two motions acting simultaneously.
5. Therefore, the projectile's motion is a combination of horizontal uniform motion and vertical accelerated motion due to gravity.