For a body projected at an angle with the horizontal from the ground, choose the correct statement.

Solution

Physics sir · 3 steps

At the top only the vertical velocity vanishes; the horizontal part keeps going, and height is greatest.

1. Split the velocity. Gravity acts only downward, so the horizontal component u cos θ never changes. The vertical component u sin θ keeps shrinking on the way up and becomes zero at the highest point.

   Option	At the highest point	Verdict
   (a) PE maximum	U = mgh and h is greatest here	true
   (b) Vertical momentum maximum	v_y = 0, so p_y = 0, its minimum size	false
   (c) Horizontal velocity zero	vₓ = u cos θ, same as at launch	false
   (d) KE zero	K = 1/2m u²cos² θ, not zero	false

2. Energy check. Kinetic energy is smallest at the top because v_y = 0. Total energy stays constant, so potential energy is largest exactly there.
3. So. Only (a) is correct: gravitational potential energy is maximum at the highest point.

The idea to keep. In projectile motion, gravity changes only the vertical velocity. At the top v_y = 0 but vₓ = u cos θ remains, so KE is least but not zero, and PE is greatest.

Answer from the NTA final answer key. Solution by PrepWiser.