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  4. Assertion: Generally the path of a projectile from the earth is parabolic but it is elliptical for projectile going to a very large height. Reason: Up to ordinary height the projectile moves under a uniform gravitational force, but for great heights, projectile moves under a variable force.

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Q. Assertion : Generally the path of a projectile from the earth is parabolic but it is elliptical for projectile going to a very large height.
Reason : Up to ordinary height the projectile moves under a uniform gravitational force, but for great heights, projectile moves under a variable force.

AFMCAFMC 2010Motion in a Plane

Solution:

Upto ordinary heights, the change in the distance of a projectile from the centre of earth is negligibie compared to the radius of earth. Hence, the projectile moves under a nearly uniform gravitational force and the path is parabolic. But for the projectiles moving to a large height, the gravitational force decreases quite decreasing variable force, the path of the projectile becomes elliptical.