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Projectile Motion Simulator Worksheet

The document describes simulations performed using a projectile motion simulator. Various projectiles were analyzed by varying parameters like initial speed, angle, mass, and adding/removing air resistance. It was found that as initial speed increases, the required angle decreases. Angle was unaffected by mass but initial speed needed to hit the target increased with mass. Air resistance prevented objects from reaching the target. One simulation was analyzed using kinematic equations to validate the simulator.

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Vijay Gopal Marupudi
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15K views3 pages

Projectile Motion Simulator Worksheet

The document describes simulations performed using a projectile motion simulator. Various projectiles were analyzed by varying parameters like initial speed, angle, mass, and adding/removing air resistance. It was found that as initial speed increases, the required angle decreases. Angle was unaffected by mass but initial speed needed to hit the target increased with mass. Air resistance prevented objects from reaching the target. One simulation was analyzed using kinematic equations to validate the simulator.

Uploaded by

Vijay Gopal Marupudi
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Projection Motion Simulator Worksheet

Name______________________________

Go to the projectile motion simulator at http://phet.colorado.edu/sims/projectilemotion/projectile-motion.swf

1. Starting with the pumpkin as your projectile, gather data and answer the following questions. a. With an initial speed of 18m/s and no air resistance, what angle must the cannon be at to hit the bulls eye?

10.4 degree

b. Clear your results from part a. Now add air resistance and answer the same question.

12.8 degree

c. Clear your results from part b and remove the air resistance. Collect data to figure out how the angle must be changed to hit the bulls eye as the initial speed increases.

Initial speed 14m/s 18m/s 22m/s 26m/s

Angle 22.6 10.4 6.2 3.4

Conclusion: As the speed increases the angle decreases.

2. Now, using different projectiles, collect data to figure out how the angle must be changed as the mass of the projectile changes. Use 18m/s as your speed. Projectile Football Bowling ball Adult human Piano Buick Mass 0.41 7.3 70 400 1000 Angle 11.4 11.4 11.4 11.4 11.4

Conclusion: As the mass of the object increases, the angle remains the same as long as the speed is constant.

3. Now, repeat the experiment in #2, only keep the angle constant at 65, and determine what happens to the initial speed needed to hit the bulls eye as the mass of the projectile changes.

Projectile Football Bowling ball Adult human Piano Buick

Mass 0.41 7.3 70 400 1000

Initial speed 14.5 14.5 14.5 14.5 14.5

Conclusion: As the mass of the object increases, the initial speed remains the same as long as the angle is constant. 4. Repeat the experiment in #3, except set the speed based on your results in #3, add air resistance and record the drag coefficient and whether the object hits the bulls eye or not. Projectile Initial speed (from #3) 14.5 Drag coefficient Hit bulls eye?

Football

0.15

No

Bowling ball Adult human Piano Buick

14.5 14.5 14.5 14.5

0.46 1.3 1.2 1.3

No No No No

Conclusion: How does the air resistance relate to whether the object could still hit the bulls eye or not?

Air resistance reduces the range a hereby makes the object miss the bull's eye

5. Finally, choose an object and analyze its motion without air resistance. Fill in the data table below by first choosing an initial speed and angle. As the object is in motion record the remaining data. After collecting all the data, prove that the simulator is accurate by using the mathematical formulas from Ch3-3 and showing that the height, distance and time that the object traveled are accurate. Show your work. (Hint: you have to watch for the maximum height as the object is moving)

Object:

10kg Bowling Ball 50 10 2.763 11 1.7

Angle: Initial Speed: Max. height: Range: Time:

Calculations for time, height and range:

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