Path of Projectile is :

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is (4): Parabola

The path of a projectile is a **Parabola** because of the specific forces acting upon it. Projectile motion describes the movement of an object launched into the air that is subject only to the constant downward force of gravity, with air resistance being ideally neglected. According to classical mechanics, this type of motion can be resolved into two independent components: the horizontal motion, where velocity remains constant, and the vertical motion, where the object is constantly accelerating downward due to gravity. When these two simultaneous, unlinked motions are plotted on a coordinate system, the resulting curve is mathematically described by the quadratic equation of a parabola. This characteristic parabolic trajectory is the hallmark of all ideal projectile motion, whether it's a basketball shot or a cannonball trajectory.

The incorrect option is (1): Force
Force is the *cause* of an object's acceleration or change in motion, not the description of its path. The primary force acting on a projectile is gravity. While gravity is the reason the object follows its curved path, the path itself is the resulting geometric shape, which is a parabola. Force is a vector quantity measured in Newtons, while the path is a trajectory described geometrically.

The incorrect option is (2): Motion
Motion is a general *state* that describes an object changing its position over time, and "projectile motion" is the *type* of motion. The question, however, is asking for the specific **path** or **trajectory** that the object follows. Therefore, while the event is indeed a motion, the geometric description of the curve created by that motion is the parabola, making "Motion" too broad a term for the required answer.

The incorrect option is (3): Friction
Friction is a *force* that acts in opposition to the object's motion, typically resulting from air resistance in the case of a projectile. It is not the path itself. While friction causes the actual path of a projectile to deviate slightly from a perfect parabola (by shortening the distance), the theoretical, idealized path of a projectile under gravity alone is always defined as a parabola, and friction is merely an external factor that influences the motion.