Air resistance reduces range and maximum height of a projectile

Projectile Motion — AQA A-Level Physics

Air resistanceThe opposition to currentThe rate of flow of chargeA property of matter that causes it to experience a force in an electromagnetic field. Measured in coulombs (C).. Measured in amperes (A). flow. The ratio of potential difference to currentThe rate of flow of chargeA property of matter that causes it to experience a force in an electromagnetic field. Measured in coulombs (C).. Measured in amperes (A).. Measured in ohms (Ω). acts opposite to the direction of motion at every point.
The horizontal component of drag reduces horizontal velocityThe rate of change of displacement. A vector quantity. Measured in m s⁻¹., decreasing the range.
The vertical component reduces maximum height.
The descent is steeper than the ascent because the horizontal velocityThe rate of change of displacement. A vector quantity. Measured in m s⁻¹. has been reduced more by the time the object falls.
The trajectory is no longer a symmetric parabola.

Common Mistake MEDIUM

Students often: Assuming the trajectory is still symmetric when air resistance is present.
Instead: With air resistance, the path is asymmetric: the object falls more steeply than it rose, and the range is shorter than the no-drag calculation predicts.

Examiner Tips and Tricks

If a question says air resistance is 'negligible', treat the problem as if no drag forces act.
This is the standard assumption unless told otherwise.