Projectile Simulation Lab
Resource Downloads
The Following Information is Provided to the Student
Question: 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?
Purpose: To use a vector diagram to represent the changes (or lack of changes) in the horizontal and vertical components of velocity and to describe those changes (or lack of changes) over the course of time.
A complete lab write-up includes a Title, a Purpose, a Data section, a Conclusion and a Discussion of Results. The Data Section should include the provided diagrams with components of the velocity vectors drawn and labeled (vx and vy) on the diagram; the size of the vector components should be representative of their relative magnitude. The Conclusion section should use words to respond to the question raised in the Purpose section. The Discussion of Results should include answers to the provided post-lab questions.
URL: https://www.physicsclassroom.com/interactive/vectors-and-projectiles/projectiles
Scoring Ruberic
| VP7. | Projectile Simulation | Score |
|---|---|---|
| _____ | Included, labeled and organized all parts of the lab report. | _____ / _____ |
| _____ | Data section includes provided graphic. The velocity components are drawn and labeled; the relative size of the vx and vy vectors were accurately drawn for both the horizontally-launched and the angle-launched projectile. | |
| _____ | Conclusion uses words to clearly and completely described the changes (or lack of changes) in the vx and vy vectors for both types of projectiles. | |
| _____ | Discussion of Results includes accurate answers to the provided post-lab questions; writing is thorough and complete. |
Lab Details
Materials Required
A page from Interactives:
https://www.physicsclassroom.com/interactive/vectors-and-projectiles/projectiles
Description of Procedure
Students log on to the above page and observe the animation of a projectile. On-screen buttons allow the students to alter the launch angle, launch speed and launch height and to display the components of a projectile's velocity.
Alternative Materials and Procedure
A more thorough approach to this lab is provided at Interactives:
The alternative exercise is a guided exercise with a much more extensive procedure.
Safety Concerns
Suggestions, Precautions, Notes
- Students often confuse force and velocity. Remind students that the vectors they are drawing are velocity vectors and not force vectors. As a separate exercise, ask students to draw the force(s) acting upon a projectile as it moves upward and rightward towards the peak, at the peak and as it moves downward and rightward after the peak of the trajectory.
Links
Connections to The Physics Classroom Tutorial:
The following readings are a suitable accompaniment to this lab:
http://www.physicsclassroom.com/Class/vectors/u3l2b.cfm
http://www.physicsclassroom.com/Class/vectors/u3l2c.cfm
Connections to Minds on Physics Internet Modules:
Sublevels 8 and 9 of the Vectors and Projectiles module are a suitable accompaniment to this lab:
https://www.physicsclassroom.com/minds-on/vectors-and-projectiles