Question

A projectile is launched at an angle into the air at velocity v and angle θ. Determine its vertical acceleration.

Answer 1

When you're dealing with projectile problems, you have two dimensions: an x (horizontal) dimension and a y (vertical) dimension. The only force that will be acting upon a projectile in the air is the force of gravity, which points down in the y/vertical dimension.

Gravity causes a downward vertical acceleration of $-9.8 \:m/ s^{2}$.
The velocity and angle do not affect the vertical acceleration.

Answer 2

Hi there!

Since you are just trying to find the vertical acceleration and not the horizontal acceleration, angle and velocity do not come into play in this problem. The downward pull of gravity has a vertical acceleration of 9.8 m/s/s, which would be your answer.

-Your friend in physics, 
ASIAX   Frequent Answerer