Consider how a projectile’s motion is affected by the air it travels through. In which dimension does the air affect the projectile’s motion, and how?

Answer 1

The air affects the projectile's motion in the horizontal dimension. The horizontal motion of a projectile is affected by the air resistance or drag force. As a projectile moves through the air, it encounters air molecules that create resistance, slowing it down. This opposing force acts in the opposite direction of the projectile's motion and affects the projectile's horizontal velocity. Due to air resistance, the projectile experiences a decrease in its horizontal speed over time. This manifests as a shorter horizontal range and a curved trajectory known as the projectile's trajectory.