We define acceleration to be the rate of change of velocity
The athletic sprint is a good example of acceleration.
Acceleration of an object is defined to be the rate of change of velocity of that object
Mathematically, Acceleration=Change in TimeChange in Velocity
The runners start from rest and in the next few instants, they change their velocity. Hence, they accelerate
The vehicle is also accelerating as it moves through the crest and trough
We shall now discuss examples of motion in plane with constant acceleration
The most common example of motion in plane with constant acceleration is the projectile motion
This is the basic approximation of the trajectory of an object undergoing projectile motion
Here we see that an object following such a trajectory, has displacements both in the x & y plane
That's why the projectile motion is put under the category of Motion in a Plane
Applications of projectile motion include catapult
The trajectory of the ball after it has been hit for a six by a batsman also roughly follows projectile motion
The motion of a basketball as it enters the basket is an example of projectile motion
The acceleration of any object undergoing motion in a plane can be resolved into two components
Component of Acceleration in x-plane -ax
Component of Acceleration in y-plane -ay
ax is responsible for the motion of the object in only x-direction
ay is responsible for the motion of the object in only y-direction
The resultant acceleration can be obtained from the vector rule of resultant
a = ax+ay∣a∣=ax2+ay2
But when a body is undergoing projectile motion, the only acceleration is in the y-axis
It is the Acceleration due to Gravity. It is the only acceleration acting on a body undergoing projectile motion
Therefore, Projectile Motion is categorized under Motion with Constant Acceleration
We can thus say, ax=0 and ay=g (We have considered the downward direction as positive)
Revision
Acceleration is defined as the rate of change of velocity. For motion in a plane, the acceleration can be resolved into two components
The most common example of Motion in a Plane is the Projectile Motion. Few examples are; the motion of a basketball into the basket, catapult, cricket ball being hit for six etc
There is only one component of acceleration in Projectile Motion, which is the Acceleration due to Gravity. Hence, projectile motion has a constant acceleration