Answer:
Parabolic
Explanation:
Since resistance is negligible, there are no forces in the x direction, so according to Newton's second law, the x component of the acceleration is 0.
∑F = ma
aₓ = 0
In the y direction, there are two forces: buoyancy upwards and weight downwards. Both are constant, so the acceleration is constant:
∑F = ma
B − W = maᵧ
aᵧ = (B − W) / m
Using kinematics, the horizontal and vertical displacements are:
x = v₀ₓ t
y = ½ aᵧ t²
Therefore, the path taken by the sensor is a parabola y = kx², where k = aᵧ / (2 v₀ₓ²) = (B − W) / (2m v₀ₓ²).
