Scribd
Upload
277 views

Projectile Motion Activity

The document describes a physics activity on projectile motion. Students use an interactive simulation to vary the initial speed and angle of launch of a projectile and record the effects on range, height, and time of flight. They observe that range is maximized at 450 angles and increases with initial speed. Height varies nonlinearly with angle and increases with initial speed. Time of flight depends on range and initial speed. The activity explores how mass and air resistance affect the trajectory. Generalizations discuss the representation of initial horizontal and vertical speeds and their relationship to the projectile's motion components. Real-life applications of projectile motion are also discussed.

Uploaded by

Ariel Lalisan
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
277 views

Projectile Motion Activity

The document describes a physics activity on projectile motion. Students use an interactive simulation to vary the initial speed and angle of launch of a projectile and record the effects on range, height, and time of flight. They observe that range is maximized at 450 angles and increases with initial speed. Height varies nonlinearly with angle and increases with initial speed. Time of flight depends on range and initial speed. The activity explores how mass and air resistance affect the trajectory. Generalizations discuss the representation of initial horizontal and vertical speeds and their relationship to the projectile's motion components. Real-life applications of projectile motion are also discussed.

Uploaded by

Ariel Lalisan
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 6

PROJECTILE MOTION ACTIVITY

Advanced Physics

Names:

Year & Section: Date:

Instructions: Perform the activity below and fill-in the table with the information you can
derive from the interactive simulation.

A. Constant Initial Speed

Choose an initial speed and keep it constant. Vary the angle of release from 00-900 and record
your observations.

Sine  of Cosine 
Initial Angles of Time of
Initial of Initial Range Height
Speed Release Flight
Speed Speed

1. Using the same initial velocity, describe the trajectory of the projectile when the angle of
release is varying from 0 to 90 degrees.
2. How does the range vary with the angle? What angle produces the longest range? The
shortest?

3. How does the maximum height vary with each firing?

4. How does the maximum time vary with each firing?

B. Constant Angle of Release

Keeping the angle of release constant, vary the initial speed of the projectile and record your
observations in the table below.

Sine  of Cosine 
Initial Angle of Time of
Initial of Initial Range Height
Speeds Release Flight
Speed Speed

1. Describe the trajectory of the projectile when the initial velocity is increased.
2. Which of the factors (height, range, time) vary/ies along with the change in initial speed.

C. Does the projectile’s mass affect the trajectory in ideal situation?

Keeping the initial velocity and angle of release constant record your observation on the
projectile's trajectory when the mass is varying.

Note: You can change the mass by changing the object. Make sure that the Air Resistance in not
ticked.

Object 1:

Sine  of Cosine 
Initial Angle of Time of
Initial of Initial Range Height
Speed Release Flight
Speed Speed

Object 2:
Sine  of Cosine 
Initial Angle of Time of
Initial of Initial Range Height
Speed Release Flight
Speed Speed

Object 3:

Sine  of Cosine 
Initial Angle of Time of
Initial of Initial Range Height
Speed Release Flight
Speed Speed

D. The Effect of Air Resistance

Tick the Air Resistance option on the toolbar. Set an initial speed and angle of release. Vary the
drag coefficient and record your observations in the table that follows.

Use different objects, thus you have varied mass and shape.

Object 1:
Sine  of Cosine 
Drag Initial Angle of Time of
Initial of Initial Range Height
Coefficient Speed Release Flight
Speed Speed

Object 2:

Sine  of Cosine 
Drag Initial Angle of Time of
Initial of Initial Range Height
Coefficient Speed Release Flight
Speed Speed

GENERALIZATIONS:

1. What do the sin and cos  of the speeds represent?

2. What can be said about the horizontal component of the motion? What type of motion is it?
3. What can be said about the horizontal component of the motion?

4. Based on your data, what is the relationship between the horizontal and vertical component of
the projectile’s motion?

5. How can your knowledge in projectile motion be used in real life situations? Enumerate at least three
(3) different situations and explain how projectile motion can be observed in each situation.

You might also like