Projectile motion can occur in various situations where an object is launched into the air and moves under the influence of gravity. Here are two examples:
Projectile Motion in Sports: One common situation where projectile motion occurs is in sports such as baseball, golf, or tennis. When a player hits a ball, it follows a curved trajectory due to the combination of an initial velocity and the force of gravity acting on it. The ball becomes a projectile, and its motion is governed by the laws of projectile motion.
Projectile Motion in Physics Experiments: Projectile motion is also studied in physics experiments to understand the motion of objects in free fall. For example, a ball dropped from a height or a projectile launched horizontally from an elevated platform exhibits projectile motion.
Now let's consider the conditions where a projectile can reach its highest and lowest maximum heights:
Highest Maximum Height: To achieve the highest maximum height in projectile motion, the launch angle should be close to 90 degrees (vertical launch). When a projectile is launched almost vertically, the initial vertical velocity component is maximized, and the horizontal component becomes minimal. As a result, the object spends more time in the upward direction, reaching a higher altitude before gravity brings it back down. This scenario is often observed when throwing an object straight up into the air.
Lowest Maximum Height: To reach the lowest maximum height in projectile motion, the launch angle should be close to 0 degrees (horizontal launch). When a projectile is launched horizontally, the initial vertical velocity component is minimal, and the entire initial velocity is directed horizontally. As a result, the object spends less time in the air and covers less vertical distance before returning to the ground. This situation can be seen when throwing an object horizontally off a cliff or shooting a bullet parallel to the ground.
It's important to note that air resistance is typically neglected in basic projectile motion analysis, assuming a vacuum or negligible effects from the medium. However, in real-world scenarios, air resistance can affect the trajectory and alter the maximum height attained by a projectile.