Question

A particle moves in a plane with constant acceleration in a direction different from the initial velocity. The path of the particle will be

• A. A straight line
• B. An arc of a circle
• C. A parabola
• D. An ellipse

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

1. When a body moves in such a way that the direction of acceleration in the body is in the direction of the initial velocity of the body, then the motion of the body is called motion in a straight line or translatory motion.
2. When the direction of acceleration in the body is made different from the direction of initial velocity given to the body, the body moves in a plane, therefore the motion of the body is called plane motion.
3. In the case of plane motion, the body is called a projectile and the path covered by the body is parabolic.

Thus,

Option C) A parabola is the correct option.