I keep getting “Projectile motion” questions wrong in Kinematics. What's the trap?
applying v=u+at to the whole velocity instead of resolving into x and y components.
The usual trap: applying v=u+at to the whole velocity instead of resolving into x and y components. How to avoid it: split every projectile into a horizontal (constant-velocity) and vertical (free-fall) problem. Go back to the definition — motion under gravity where horizontal and vertical motions are independent — horizontal a=0, vertical a=−g.
Key point
Projectile motion
Common mistake
applying v=u+at to the whole velocity instead of resolving into x and y components.
Memory tip
split every projectile into a horizontal (constant-velocity) and vertical (free-fall) problem.
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