In the simulation above, as the projectile travels downward, how does the vertical velocity change? a) vertical velocity is zero. b) vertical velocity decreases. c) vertical velocity remains the same. d) vertical velocity increases.

As the projectile travels downward, the vertical velocity increases.

Option D

Explanation:

If the object was thrown up, it will tend to reach the ground to the gravitational pull. So, exhibiting a projectile motion with an initial velocity, the object travels some distance in air with constant horizontal velocity and varying vertical velocity.

When the object is moving downward, the gravitational force will be more leading to increase in the acceleration and vertical velocity of the object. Thus, the vertical velocity will increase due to the increase in gravitational force acting on the projectile.