Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Projectile motion refers to the curved path that an object follows when it is thrown or launched into the air, under the influence of gravity, and with no other forces acting on it.
Related terms
Trajectory: The trajectory of a projectile refers to the path it takes through space. It can be represented as a parabolic curve.
Parametric equations: In projectile motion, parametric equations are used to describe the position of an object at any given time during its flight. These equations involve variables such as time, initial velocity, and angle of projection.
Range: The range of a projectile is the horizontal distance covered by the object before it hits the ground. It depends on factors such as initial velocity and launch angle.