When dealing with projectile motion, we need to consider the acceleration acting on the object. For an object like a soccer ball kicked at an angle, the primary force acting on it in the vertical direction is due to gravity.
Here are the step-by-step considerations for determining the vertical acceleration of the soccer ball:
1. Identify the vertical forces: In projectile motion, the only vertical force acting on the object (after it has been kicked) is gravity. This force causes the object to accelerate downward.
2. Understand the effect of gravity: Gravity accelerates objects downward toward the Earth. The acceleration due to gravity is a constant value of [tex]\( -9.8 \, \text{m/s}^2 \)[/tex]. This negative sign indicates that the direction of the acceleration is downward.
3. Vertical acceleration in projectile motion: Regardless of the initial velocity or the angle of the kick, the vertical acceleration for any projectile solely under the influence of gravity remains [tex]\( -9.8 \, \text{m/s}^2 \)[/tex].
Given these points, the correct answer from the provided choices is:
B. [tex]\( -9.8 \, \text{m/s}^2 \)[/tex]
This means that as the soccer ball flies through the air, its acceleration in the vertical direction is [tex]\( -9.8 \, \text{m/s}^2 \)[/tex].
