ACTIVITY GUIDE

Activity 4: Projectile and the influence of Air Resistance

(Contents of this activity was adapted and taken from from the Teaching Physics activities
of Prof. Ivan B. Culaba, M.Sc. of the Physics Department, Ateneo de Manila University)

I. Introduction

The Physics Eduation Technology (Phet) is a compilation of interactive simulations

which covers a wide range of science and mathematics topics. The free, online
software (https://phet.colorado.edu) was developed in 2002 by Nobel Laureate Carl
Wieman at the University of Colorado, Boulder.

This activity is a continuation of Activity 3 and is part of the compilation of exercises

exploring the concept of projectile motion. It aims to have the students learn to
determine the factors affecting the range of projectile under the influence of
gravitational force and varying degrees of air resistance and calculate the range from
the given initial values of velocity, position, angle of projection and the value of
acceleration due to gravity (assumed to be -9.8m/s2 on the Earth).

II. Technological Requirement

Phet Interactive Simulation (from https://phet.colorado.edu)

III. Procedure
1. Go to https://phet.colorado.edu to access the Phet Simulations. In the home page,
search for Physics Simulation on Projectile Motion.
2. Practice on how to use the simulation. You may explore the attributes of the
simulation before proceeeding with the exercises.
3. Each exercise includes a different set of attributes for your simulation. So make
sure to set the correct values. Asnwer the questions BASED on the Phet Simulation.
4. Input your answers in the DATA SHEET provided for you. DO NOT write
answers in the this Activity Guide.
5. Do not forget to include screenshots of the simulations in your lab report.

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Exercise A.
For this part, use the Drag simulation, as shown in the screenshot.

Figure A. Screenshot of the Simulation (Drag) with corresponding simulation attributes and/or components

A. Assume a drag coefficient of 0, 1, 2 and 3 with the same initial velocity (V0x) of
+18m/s, height y = - 10m and a diameter of 0.1m. Complete Table 1 by finding the
displacement (x) of the cannonball in each of the given components or attributes of
the motion.

Exercise B.
Using the same simulation as in Exercise A, assume a constant drag coefficient of 5,
constant velocity of +18m/s, constant height of y=- 10m and diameters 0.1m, 0.3m
and 0.5m. Complete Table 2 by finding the displacement(x) of the cannonball in each
of the given attributes of motion.

Exercise C.
For this exercise, use the Lab simulation described in the figure.

Figure B. Screenshot of the Simulation (Lab) with corresponding simulation attributes and/or components
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C1.Assume no air resistance (drag coefficient = 0). Complete Table 3 of the Data
Sheet by determining the value of the displacement for the given angle of incidence
C2. Assume no air resistance (drag coefficient = 0). Complete Table 4 of the Data
Sheet by determining the value of the range x for the given increasing initial speeds.

IV. Questions for Discussion

1. What is the effect of air resistance on the displacement x of the cannonball?

Answer the question based on the Phet simulation.
2. What is the effect of the diameter of the ball on the displacement x in the
presence of air resistance? Answer the question based on the Phet simulation.
3. What pair of angles result to the same value of the displacement for the
same value of initial speed?
4. Which angle of projection resulted to the largest value of the range?
5. What is the effect of increasing initial speed on the range x of the ball?

Synopsis of Formulae

In a projectile motion with no air resistance ax=0 and ay = -g,

the coordinates and velocity components are simple functions
of time and the shape of the path is always a parabola.

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