What does 'range' refer to in projectile motion?

In projectile motion, 'range' specifically refers to the horizontal distance traveled by the projectile from its launch point to the point where it lands. This distance is influenced by various factors including the initial speed of the projectile, the angle of launch, and the acceleration due to gravity.

When a projectile is launched, it follows a curved trajectory, and the range is the total horizontal extent of that path at the same elevation from which it was launched. This concept is fundamental in understanding projectile motion because it directly relates to how far an object can travel horizontally before it touches the ground, assuming optimal launch conditions (such as no air resistance in introductory problems).

The highest point achievable by the projectile is known as the 'maximum height,' while the time it takes for the projectile to hit the ground is referred to as 'time of flight.' The speed of the projectile when released relates to its initial velocity, which affects both range and other aspects of motion, but it is not synonymous with range itself.