Projectile Problem-Solving Lab
Resource Downloads
The Following Information is Provided to the Student
Question: What strategies can be used to analyze and solve a horizontally launched projectile problem?
Purpose: To determine and describe the appropriate strategies for solving a horizontally launched projectile problem.
A complete lab write-up includes a Title, a Purpose, a Data section, a Conclusion/Discussion. The Data section should include the provided table with clear and thorough solutions to the three types of projectile problems. The Conclusion/Discussion section should describe in some detail the process/strategy which can be used to solve for each of the three unknown quantities. Writing should be organized, thorough and clear.
URL: https://www.physicsclassroom.com/interactive/vectors-and-projectiles/hit-the-target
Scoring Ruberic
| VP8. | Projectile Problem-Solving Lab | Score |
|---|---|---|
| _____ | Included, labeled and organized all parts of the lab report. | _____ / _____ |
| _____ | Data section includes complete solutions to the three types of projectile problems; solutions are accurately clear, sequential and easy to follow. (An organized solution is a sign of an organized mind.) | |
| _____ | Conclusion uses words to describe the strategy which is used to solve each of the three types of projectile problems. Strategy is accurate, detailed, specific and complete. Writing is organized. |
Lab Details
Materials Required
A page from Interactives:
https://www.physicsclassroom.com/interactive/vectors-and-projectiles/hit-the-target
Description of Procedure
Students log on to the above page and solve three types of projectile problems in an effort to fire a cannonball at a target. Students enter answers to the problem and click a fire Cannon button. The projectile is launched and its trajectory is shown. If the cannonball misses the target, then the correct solution to the problem is shown. If the cannonball hits the target (correct answer), then the scoreboard is updated to reflect a correct student answer. As a conclusion to the lab, students explain the details of the strategy for solving each type of problem.
Safety Concerns
Suggestions, Precautions, Notes
- The interactive file delivers three types of horizontally launched projectile problems. The first 3 types of problems are distinguished by the particular unknown value - dx, dy or vox. Numbers in the problem are randomly generated.
- The program keeps track of student scores by adding a point for each successfully solved problem and deducting a point for each missed problem. Once a student scores 2 points for a given type of problem, that type of problem is no longer delivered. The score is posted on the right side of the screen.
- Students might benefit most if they are paired with a partner for this lab.
Links
Connections to The Physics Classroom Tutorial:
The following reading is a suitable accompaniment to this lab:
http://www.physicsclassroom.com/Class/vectors/u3l2e.cfm