Phet Projectile Motion Lab
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PhET Projectile Motion Lab
1. Go to the “phET” physics website by googling “phET
2. Go to simulations ---physics----motion----projectile motion
3. Set up the simulation (as shown opposite) with the height of the cannon 13m above ground level (person’s feet) and the angled at 0 degrees (horizontal). Select pumpkin as the projectile. Use the tape measure to check the height. If you fire the cannon it should show -13.0 m in the box if you set it right.
4. Again use the tape measure to set the center of the target 17 away from the center line of the cannon (as shown above).
5. Fire the projectile at various initial speeds. Does this change the time that the projectile is in the air? Explain why or why not!
______because ______
______
6. What determines the time that the projectile is in the air? ______
7. What determines the range of the projectile? ______
8. Using physics theory calculate the time the projectile is in the air. Show your work! Then check with the simulation.
Work:
9. Now calculate the initial horizontal speed that the projectile (pumpkin) has to be fired at in order to hit the center of the target (17m away). Then check with the simulation. You should see “score” if successful.
Work:
10. If you fired the projectile horizontally at twice the initial speed, what would happen to i) the time in the air and ii) its horizontal range? How many times does each increase? i) ______ii) ______11. Reset the screen and put the target at the same height as the projectile is fired from (not ground height) and positioned 17m away (see diagram opposite). The initial velocity should be set to 18 m/s.
12. Play with the angle setting until you find two angles of launch that allow the projectile to hit the center of the target. angle 1 = ______angle 2 = ______
13. Which launch angle gives the most time in the air? ______
Which launch angle gives the biggest horizontal speed? ______
14. Why do you think there are two launch angles that give the same range? Hint: R = vH t
______
15. Without worrying about hitting the target which angle (0-90 deg) gives the most height? ______
This is because ______
Without worrying about hitting the target which angle (0-90 deg) gives the most range? ______
This is because ______
16. Calculate the maximum height (above the firing line) using angle 1 and an initial velocity of 18 m/s. Check your answer with the simulation tape measure
Work:
17. Calculate the range for the projectile returning to the firing line, using angle 1 and an initial velocity of 18 m/s. Check your answer.
Work:
18. If you double the initial velocity but keep the launch angle the same (angle 1), what happens to its i) time in the air and ii) range? How many times does each increase? i) ______ii) ______