Intro to Projectile Motion

Intro to Projectile Motion

From Algodoo

Jump to: navigation, search


Intro to Projectile Motion

Language: English
Description: Projectile motion can be a very difficult topic for students to grasp because it can be very abstract. The idea of this lab is to help students visualize the x and y component of an object and to see how they combine to create a resultant velocity.
Target: Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5
Category: Laboratory
Discipline: Motion
Learning objectives:
  • Students will know the role of the x and y veolocity of an object moving at an angle
  • Students will understand how to combine both components to find the resultant velocity
  • Students will understand that the x and y components are independent of each other
In class: Students should be familiar with the Pythagorean Theorem and what it is used for before engaging this activity.

Begin by discussing how you could calculate the velocity of an object moving only in the horizontal or vertical direction.

Then expand the question by asking how you could calculate the velocity of an object moving in both the horizontal and the vertical direction.

If need be, draw a right triangle to help illustrate the two different velocities of the object. Once the triangle is drawn, ask them if they know a way to calculate the length of the hypotenuse of the triangle.

Lastly, have students reinforce this idea by engaging the corresponding activity allowing them to use the Create – Predict –Interact – Evaluate model.

Steps in Algodoo


CREATE A SCENE

Open ‘Intro to Projectile Motion’ scene above.


RUN/INTERACT

Start by running the simulation. When all four objects have left the 8x8 meter square, pause the simulation. Using the rulers around the edge of the square, measure the horizontal and vertical distance each object traveled when it left the square. Record it in your data table.

Next, use the back button to reset the simulation. One by one, time how long it takes for each object to leave the 8x8 meter box and record your data in your data table.

Lastly, calculate the horizontal speed of each object using the time you measured and the horizontal distance it traveled as well as the vertical speed using the vertical distance measured.

The object’s horizontal and vertical speeds serve as the horizontal and vertical legs of a right triangle. Using this information, calculate the actual speed of each object (hypotenuse) using Pythagorean Theorem.


EVALUATE

Compare your answers with the actual speed of each object. the idea of a right triangle, can you think of a way to calculate the angle each object is traveling at? (use sin and cos)


REVISE SCENE

Try right clicking on an object and changing the horizontal, vertical, or angle travels at. Start the simulation to view the results of these manipulations.


MAKE A PREDICTION

How do you think the above changes will affect the overall speed of each object?
Retrieved from "http://www.algodoo.com/lessons/Intro_to_Projectile_Motion"