If height and angle are held constant, which factor determines the range of a projectile?

• A. Height of release determines range.
• B. Angle determines range.
• C. Speed of release determines range.
• D. Air resistance determines range.

Answer: (C)

When height and launch angle are fixed, the distance the projectile travels horizontally is determined by how fast it is launched. The range depends on both how far the projectile moves in the horizontal direction and how long it stays in the air. Increasing the release speed increases the horizontal component of velocity (more speed forward) and also increases the vertical component, which lengthens the time the projectile remains aloft. With more time aloft and a higher forward speed, the horizontal distance covered before hitting the ground grows, so the range increases with launch speed. The height is constant and the angle is constant in this scenario, so they don’t vary to change the range. Air resistance could complicate things, but in this standard setup it’s the release speed that sets the range.