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⚛️ Physics  ·  Motion in a Plane  ·  NEET & JEE

The trajectory (path) of a projectile is a:

Answer: parabola.

  • A parabola
  • B straight line
  • C perfect circle
  • D wide ellipse

Correct answer: A. parabola

Explanation: Combining uniform horizontal motion with uniformly accelerated vertical motion gives a parabola.

Projectile trajectories launched at 15, 30, 45, 60, 75 and 90 degrees at the same speed, each annotated with range R, maximum height H and time of flight T, with coloured dots marking equal time intervals

Projectiles at equal speed: range is maximum at 45°, and complementary angles (30° and 60°) share the same range. Image: Cmglee, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Concept context

Vectors, projectile motion, uniform circular motion, and relative velocity - the foundation of 2D kinematics for NEET and JEE.

Read the full Motion in a Plane notes →