Link for online lab:
https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/projectile-motion
OBJECTIVES:
• Draw motion diagrams for a horizontally launched projectile.
• Investigate the factors affecting range of a horizontally launched projectile.
• Determine height of launch and gravitational field strength at a location by using a horizontally launched projectile and performing curve fitting on linearized data.
PROCEDURE:
Click on the Intro window.
Part 1 – Motion Diagrams
- In the Velocity Vectors box, choose “Components”. Keeping rest of the settings on default, fire the projectile and observe how the vectors change as the projectile falls to the ground.
a) Draw a motion diagram showing velocity components at different locations.
b) How do the two velocity components change as the projectile moves?
c) Explain the physical reason for your observation in part (b)?
- Reset the simulation. Now in the Velocity Vectors box, choose “Total”. Fire the projectile and observe how the velocity vector changes as the projectile falls to the ground.
a) Draw a motion diagram showing the velocity vector at different locations.
b) How do the magnitude and direction of the velocity vector change as the projectile moves?
c) How is the velocity vector related to the path of the projectile (i.e. how is this vector drawn in relation to the path)?
- Reset the simulation. Now in the Acceleration Vectors box, choose “Total”. Fire the projectile and observe how the acceleration vector changes as the projectile falls to the ground.
a) Draw a motion diagram showing the acceleration vector at different locations.
b) How do the magnitude and direction of the acceleration vector change as the projectile moves?
c) Explain the physical reason for your observation in part (b)?
Sample Solution