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 ...

• 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.

If you are not familiar with this topic, then you should first learn about the topic using our written Tutorial or our Video Tutorial:

• 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?

Velocity Components of a Projectile