To determine the horizontal acceleration of a projectile, we need to consider the forces acting on it when it is in motion.
1. Understand the forces involved:
- When a projectile is in motion, it is influenced by gravity, which acts downwards vertically.
- In the absence of other forces such as air resistance, there are no horizontal forces acting on the projectile.
2. Analyze horizontal motion:
- Since there are no horizontal forces acting on the projectile, according to Newton's first law of motion, an object will remain in uniform motion unless acted on by an external force.
3. Determine horizontal acceleration:
- Because there are no forces in the horizontal direction, there is no horizontal acceleration.
Therefore, the horizontal acceleration of a projectile is zero.
Thus, the correct statement describing the horizontal acceleration of a projectile is:
- It is zero.
