Vectors and Projectiles Labs
The following PDF files represent a collection of Lab write ups pertaining to the topic of Vectors and Projectiles. The Labs are synchronized to readings from the Tutorial, missions of the Minds On activities, and more. Teachers may print these Labs and their related Ruberics and use them freely with their classes. Learn more about creating a Lab Notebook for these activities as well as Reporting and Guidelines.
Available Labs
Select a Lab below to learn more about it, or download the teacher guide and other supporting documents.
Map Lab
How do the N-S, E-W legs of a trip compare to the overall displacement of that trip?
As the Crow Flies Lab
What is the as-the-crow-flies displacement from the Physics room to an assigned location in the school?
Where Am I? Lab
What is the ultimate destination which results from the combination of three displacement vectors?
Road Trip Lab
What overall displacement (magnitude and direction) and final destination results from the addition of three displacement vectors?
Crossing the River Lab
For a boat heading straight across a river, how does a change in the boat speed effect the resulting velocity, the crossing time and the downstream distance? How does a change in current speed effect the resulting velocity, the crossing time and the downstream distance?
Basketball Analysis Lab
How can the changes (or lack of changes) in the motion quantities (position, velocity and acceleration) of a projectile be described over the course of time?
Projectile Simulation Lab
How can a vector diagram be used to describe the changes (or lack of changes) in the horizontal and vertical components of velocity and how can such changes (or lack of changes) be described in words?
Projectile Problem-Solving Lab
What strategies can be used to analyze and solve a horizontally launched projectile problem?
Launcher Speed Lab
What is the launch speed of the projectile launcher?
Maximum Range Lab
How does the angle of launch effect the range of an angle-launched projectile and what angle provides for the maximum range?
Hit the Target Lab
Given the horizontal distance from a projectile launcher to a target, at what height must the target be placed in order for the projectile to strike it?