Projectile motion lab

Investigating Projectile Motion

http://phet.colorado.edu/simulations/sims.php?sim=Projectile_Motion

1. First, list below (in the formal lab report starting on page 2) how each of the following variables will affect a projectile’s motion (how far it goes, how high it goes, how long before it hits the ground, etc.) when there is NO air resistance. Write a statement of what will happen for each, giving an explanation or reason.

a) Angle from the horizontal –

b) Initial Speed –

c) Mass of the object –

d) Diameter of the object –

2. How would the affect of these variables change if there were air resistance? Put your predictions in the formal lab report starting on page 2.

a) Angle from the horizontal –

b) Initial Speed –

c) Mass of the object –

d) Diameter of the object –

3. Log onto the website above. Click on the “Run Now!”. (I’ve also included a direct link to the simulation under Lab 06 Projectile Motion on the homepage.)

4. Take 5 minutes to play with the simulation to get familiar with the controls. Now vary ONE variable at a time to determine how that variable affects the projectile’s motion (how far it goes, how high it goes, how long before it hits the ground, etc.).

5. Write a statement(s) in the formal lab report under observations that explains how each variable effects projectile motion. Explain why this happens.

6. For your final write up, please do not abbreviate or use symbols and check your spelling/ grammar.

Variable Name (state whether it was with or without air resistance.)

Prediction – What did you predict before you used the simulation? Give your reasons.

Observation – What did you observe in the simulation? Was your reasoning correct? If not, explain why.

Example:

Angle from the Horizontal (without air resistance)

Prediction – I predict that the greater the angle the farther the object will travel both up and out. It will not be close to the ground and so gravity will not be able to pull it to the ground as fast and it will have more time to travel.

Observation – We observed that the object travels farthest with an angle of … My prediction was not correct because …

Projectile Motion Formal Lab Report

Name:

Angle from the Horizon (without air resistance.)

Prediction –.

Observation

–

Initial Spee (without air resistance.)

Prediction –.

Observation

Mass of the Object (without air resistance.)

Prediction –.

Observation

Diameter of the Object (without air resistance.)

Prediction –.

Observation

Angle from the Horizon (with air resistance.)

Prediction –.

Observation –

Initial Spee (with air resistance.)

Prediction –.

Observation

Mass of the Object (with air resistance.)

Prediction –.

Observation

Diameter of the Object (with air resistance.)

Prediction –.

Observation