A planet moves in an orbit around a star. In the same physics analogy, a projectile moves along which path?

Introduction / Context:
This analogy question connects basic physics vocabulary. The first pair Planet : Orbit recalls that planets travel around stars along curved paths called orbits. The second pair Projectile : ? asks for the correct technical term for the path a projectile follows. This is a standard term in mechanics and ballistics, and the question tests whether you can match the general idea of motion along a path with the correct specialised word.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• A planet is a large celestial body that moves around a star.
• Orbit is the curved path taken by a planet or satellite under gravitational attraction.
• A projectile is any object that is thrown, fired, or launched and then moves under the influence of gravity and sometimes air resistance.
• The options are Path, Milkyway, Track, and Trajectory.
• We assume basic high school physics knowledge about motion paths.

Concept / Approach:
The relationship in the first pair is specific object to its technical path name. Planet and orbit are not just any object and path but a recognised physics pairing. For projectiles, the path they follow in space when they are launched is called a trajectory. The word path is generic and can refer to any route. Track is used more for railway lines or race tracks. Milkyway is the name of our galaxy and is completely unrelated. Trajectory is the correct specialised term for the curved path of a projectile. Thus the analogy Planet : Orbit :: Projectile : Trajectory holds accurately.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Understand that planet relates to orbit as object to its recognised path around another body. Step 2: Identify projectile as an object that moves through space after being launched. Step 3: Recall from physics that the curved path of a projectile is called its trajectory. Step 4: Inspect the options: Path is general, Milkyway is a galaxy, Track is a physical route or rail, and Trajectory is the specialised term. Step 5: Match this to the first pair and confirm that the object to specific path relation is correctly reproduced by Projectile : Trajectory. Step 6: Select Trajectory as the answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
To double check, think about how these terms appear in textbooks and exam questions. We speak about calculating the trajectory of a cannon ball or the trajectory of a rocket. We rarely say calculate the path in formal physics, because path is too non technical here. Milkyway is unrelated and is simply the name of the galaxy that contains our solar system. Track is more associated with racing, transport, or physical rails. Only trajectory is regularly defined as the path followed by a projectile under the influence of forces like gravity. Therefore the analogy mapping between orbit and trajectory is precise and reliable.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Path: Path is too general and does not capture the specialised physics term that the question is testing. Milkyway: This is the name of our galaxy and has nothing to do with the path of a single projectile. Track: Track usually refers to race tracks, railway tracks, or physical routes on the ground and is not used as the technical term for projectile motion.

Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to choose Path because it seems obviously connected to movement. However, the question is about parallel technical terms: orbit for planets and trajectory for projectiles. Another pitfall is not recognising the word trajectory due to unfamiliarity. If you remember that physics chapters on projectile motion focus on finding the equation of trajectory, you will immediately see the correct match. Paying attention to the level of technical wording in the first pair helps guide the choice in the second pair as well.

Final Answer:
A planet moves in an orbit, and in the same way a projectile moves along a trajectory, so Trajectory is the correct answer.