Concept:Air friction (drag) is a vector force that always opposes the instantaneous velocity vector of a moving object.
Solution:- A projectile travels in a 2D plane, meaning its velocity vector has both horizontal (\( v_x \)) and vertical (\( v_y \)) components.
- Because drag strictly opposes the direction of motion, it creates both a backward horizontal force (slowing down horizontal speed) and a vertical force (opposing upward rise or slowing downward fall).
- Therefore, air friction continuously affects both dimensions of the motion.
Why other options are incorrect:Drag does not affect the
initial launch velocity (which is determined by the launcher). It cannot selectively target only one axis because the projectile moves diagonally through the air.
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