At the highest point of the path of a projectile, its

Options

A. speed is zero
B. spoeed is minimum
C. kinetic energy is minimum
D. Potential energy is maximum

Explanation

To solve the question about the characteristics of a projectile at its highest point, we will analyze the motion of the projectile step by step.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Projectile Motion**:
- A projectile is an object that is thrown into the air with an initial velocity at an angle θ to the horizontal. The motion can be analyzed in two components: horizontal (x) and vertical (y).

2. **Velocity Components**:
- The initial velocity \( V \) can be resolved into two components:
- Horizontal component: \( V_x = V \cos \theta \)
- Vertical component: \( V_y = V \sin \theta \)

3. **At the Highest Point**:
- At the highest point of the projectile's path (maximum height), the vertical component of the velocity \( V_y \) becomes zero because the projectile stops rising and is about to start descending.
- Therefore, at the highest point:
- \( V_y = 0 \)
- The horizontal component \( V_x \) remains unchanged throughout the motion, so \( V_x = V \cos \theta \).

4. **Speed at the Highest Point**:
- The speed of the projectile at the highest point is given by the horizontal component:
- \( \text{Speed} = V_x = V \cos \theta \)
- Thus, the speed is not zero, but it is at its minimum value at this point.

5. **Potential Energy and Kinetic Energy**:
- At the highest point, the height \( H \) is maximum, which means the potential energy (PE) is also maximum.
- The potential energy can be expressed as:
- \( PE = mgh \) (where \( h \) is the height)
- Since energy is conserved, if the potential energy is at its maximum, the kinetic energy (KE) must be at its minimum:
- \( KE + PE = \text{constant} \)
- Therefore, at maximum height, \( KE \) is minimum.

6. **Conclusion**:
- At the highest point of the projectile's path:
- The vertical component of velocity \( V_y = 0 \).
- The horizontal component of velocity \( V_x = V \cos \theta \) is at its maximum.
- The speed is minimum but not zero.
- The potential energy is maximum.
- The kinetic energy is minimum.

### Summary of Key Points:
- At the highest point, \( V_y = 0 \).
- The speed is minimum and equals \( V \cos \theta \).
- Potential energy is maximum.
- Kinetic energy is minimum.