Name: __________________________
Date: _______________
Block: ____
PROJECTILE MOTION
By definition, the only force acting on a projectile is its own weight. Despite this simple definition, projectile
motion is complex since the unbalanced force (weight) can act perpendicular to the motion. Projectiles change
position in the vertical and horizontal direction. Stated more simply, projectiles fly upward then fall back
down while moving forward, too. On this activity, you will learn about the variables that affect the trajectory
of a projectile.
Projectile Motion Vocabulary
DIRECTIONS: Use the definitions below to label the range, peak and time on the projectile picture.
Range: The horizontal change in position from
launch to landing (when launch and landing are the
same vertical height).
Peak Height: The highest point of the trajectory
Time: the flight time from launch-to-peak and
peak–to-landing are the same (when launch and
landing are the same vertical height).
Spend a few minutes familiarizing yourself with the controls of the simulation before you begin the lab below.
What variables can you change? What controls on the lab simulation should your use to change them?
Using Evidence to explain the effect of Projectile variables.
Use the simulation to test the effect of projectile motion variables.
Remember that you can alter only one variable at a time.
Variable
Starting speed of the projectile
Actual Effect of Variable On Motion of Projectile
Range
Peak Height
Time
Constants.
(depends on how hard object is thrown
or launched)
10 m/s
20 m/s
30 m/s
Launch angle
0o
Range
Peak Height
Time
Constants.
Range
Peak Height
Time
Constants.
Range
Peak Height
Time
Constants.
30o
60o
90o
Mass of the projectile
(select the golf ball, then change the
mass)
_____ kg.
_____ kg.
_____ kg.
_____ kg.
Time in the air
What determines time in the air?
Analysis
1. Draw the trajectory of a projectile launched from an initial height of 10 m at 0 m/s. This is a dropped
projectile. Label all the key terms (launch speed, launch angle, range, peak height, landing)
2. Draw the trajectory of a projectile launched from an initial height of 0 m at 25 m/s. This is a straight up
projectile. Label all the key terms (launch speed, launch angle, range, peak height, landing)
3. Draw the trajectory of of projectile launched from an initial height of 10 m at 25 m/s. This is a
horizontally launched projectile. Label all the key terms (launch speed, launch angle, range, peak
height, landing)
4. Draw the trajectory of a projectile launched from an initial height of 0 m at 25 m/s. Set the launch angle
to 30o. This is a projectile launched at an angle. Label all the key terms (launch speed, launch angle,
range, peak height, landing)
5. You should have found that launch angle is a key variable. Test the cannon at different angles.
a. What angle causes the largest height? Sketch it below:
b. What angle causes the largest range? Sketch it below.
6. Select a launch velocity of 50 m/s. Complete the table below by firing the cannon at the launch angles
shown. Sketch the trajectory of the projectile for each pair of launch angles in the space provided.:
Launch angles:
Trajectory Sketches
15o
75o
30o
60o
10o
80o
45o
45o
Find the sum of the pairs of angles above.
Describe the relationship between the launch angle pairs and resulting trajectories.