Mission VP9 Velocity Components of a Projectile
Mission VP9 requires that you interpret a velocity vector diagram and calculate the values of the x- and y-component of a projectile's velocity. The mission consists of 36 questions organized into 9 Question Groups. You must answer one question from each Question Group to complete the mission. The learning outcomes for this mission are ...
Learning Outcomes
- The student should be able to interpret a velocity vector diagram for a projectile in order to predict the relative magnitude of the horizontal and vertical velocity components at various times during the trajectory.
- The student should be able to determine the magnitudes of the horizontal and vertical velocity components of a projectile.
Getting Help
If you are not familiar with this topic, then you should first learn about the topic using our written Tutorial or our Video Tutorial:
The Physics Classroom, Vectors and Motion in Two Dimensions Unit, Lesson 2, Part c
- Does the horizontal velocity of a projectile change during its trajectory?
- Does the vertical velocity of a projectile change during its trajectory?
- In which direction is the horizontal velocity of a projectile directed?
- In which direction is the vertical velocity of a projectile directed?
- What would a velocity vector diagram look like for a horizontally-launched projectile?
- What would a velocity vector diagram look like for a non-horizontally-launched projectile?
- How can the magnitude of a projectile's horizontal velocity be determined from its initial value and the time?
- How can the magnitude of a projectile's vertical velocity be determined from its initial value and the time?