Projectile Motion: Understanding the Apex and Velocity
What is the apex in the trajectory of a projectile?
a. The apex in the trajectory of a projectile is the highest vertical point in the flight.
If the vertical velocity is at zero at the apex, what does it indicate?
b. At the apex in the trajectory of a projectile the vertical velocity is zero.
Answer:
Regarding the apex in the trajectory of a projectile, both a and b are true.
Explanation:
a) The apex in the trajectory of a projectile is indeed the highest point in its vertical flight. This is where the projectile reaches its maximum height.
b) At the apex, the vertical velocity of the projectile is zero. This is because the object momentarily stops moving upward and begins its descent, during which the vertical velocity changes direction from upward to downward.