What does a projectile lack during its motion?

A projectile is an object that is thrown into the air with an initial velocity and then is influenced only by gravity and air resistance. During its motion, a key characteristic of a projectile is that it does not possess any means of propulsion, such as an engine. Once a projectile is in motion, it continues to move due to the initial kinetic energy imparted to it and will follow a curved path known as a trajectory until gravitational forces bring it back down to the ground.

The absence of an engine or any additional propulsion system means that the projectile cannot alter its speed or direction after it has been launched. It travels solely under the influence of gravitational forces acting on it. This distinct feature differentiates projectiles from other types of motion, where continuous power sources can modify velocity or trajectory throughout the object’s path.

To clarify other options, while a projectile does have mass, the elements of fuel and trajectory are both related to its motion and characteristics. Fuel is irrelevant in this context since projectile motion does not rely on burning fuel or creating thrust after launch, and trajectory is indeed part of how a projectile moves, defined by its path influenced by initial conditions and gravitational pull.