Projectile Motion Experiment: Initial Velocity Measurement

What conclusion can be drawn from measuring the projectile's initial velocity of 250 m/s?

A) The projectile's speed is 250 m/s at all times. B) The projectile's speed decreases over time. C) The projectile's speed increases over time. D) The projectile's speed is constant, but its direction changes.

Answer:

The correct conclusion is that the projectile's speed decreases over time.

Based on the initial velocity measurement of 250 m/s in the physics ballistics experiment, we can infer that the projectile's speed decreases over time. This is due to external forces like gravity and air resistance affecting the motion of the projectile.

When a projectile is launched, its speed is highest at the beginning (250 m/s in this case) and as it travels, it slows down gradually. The force of gravity acts to pull the projectile down, while air resistance also slows it down as it moves through the air.

As a result, the correct conclusion from the initial velocity measurement is that the projectile's speed decreases over time. This means that the speed of the projectile is not constant and changes as it moves through its trajectory. The direction changes as well, influenced by gravity pulling the projectile downwards.