---
title: "A small projectile is launched from level ground with an initial velocity of magnitude \\(v_0\\) at an angle \\(\\theta\\) above the horizontal, where \\(0^\\circ < \\theta < 90^\\circ\\). Air resistance is negligible. Which of the following correctly describes the speed of the projectile at the highest point of its trajectory and provides a correct justification?"
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url: "https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/109232/"
date_modified: "2026-03-21T18:07:11+00:00"
---

# A small projectile is launched from level ground with an initial velocity of magnitude \(v_0\) at an angle \(\theta\) above the horizontal, where \(0^\circ < \theta < 90^\circ\). Air resistance is negligible. Which of the following correctly describes the speed of the projectile at the highest point of its trajectory and provides a correct justification?

A small projectile is launched from level ground with an initial velocity of magnitude \(v_0\) at an angle \(\theta\) above the horizontal, where \(0^\circ < \theta < 90^\circ\). Air resistance is negligible. Which of the following correctly describes the speed of the projectile at the highest point of its trajectory and provides a correct justification?

![A diagram showing the parabolic trajectory of a projectile. The launch point is on the left at the origin. An initial velocity vector v_0 is shown at an angle theta. The path curves upward to a peak and then downward to the same horizontal level as the launch. A point is marked at the very top of the curve.](https://nerd-notes.com/wp-content/uploads/ubq-frq-generated/stem-fig-1-1774116430-0xmlte.jpg)

- **A.** The speed is zero because the projectile has reached its maximum height and is momentarily at rest.
- **B.** The speed is \(v_0 \sin\theta\) because the horizontal component of the velocity has been reduced to zero by gravity.
- **C.** The speed is \(v_0 \cos\theta\) because the vertical component of the velocity is zero and the horizontal component remains constant.
- **D.** The speed is \(v_0\) because the magnitude of the acceleration is constant, so the magnitude of the velocity must also be constant.

*The answer key and step-by-step explanation are available to logged-in users at https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/109232/*