Our Lady of Fatima University

Mathematics and Physics Department

Physics 1 Laboratory

Name_________________________________ Date Performed ____________________

Section _______________________________ Date Submitted ____________________

Experiment No. 4
Projectile Motion Using PhET
Simulations

I. OBJECTIVE
To know /describe a projectile motion.

II. THEORY /DISCUSSION

Projectile is defined as, any body thrown with some initial velocity, which is
then allowed to move under the action of gravity alone, without being propelled by any engine
or fuel. The path followed by a projectile is called its trajectory. A projectile moves at a
constant speed in the horizontal direction while experiencing a constant acceleration of 9.8
m/s2 downwards in the vertical direction. To be consistent, we define the up or upwards
direction to be the positive direction. Therefore the acceleration of gravity is, -9.8 m/s 2.
 
III. Procedure
• Google search "PhET Projectiles"
• Run the PhET Simulations ~ Play ~ Motion ~ Projectile Motion
• The cannon can be moved to add or remove initial Y position
and
X
posit
ion.
• The cannon can be pivoted to change the firing angle, 8.
• The tape measure can be moved and dragged to measure range to target.
• To fire the cannon,
• To erase the projectile's path, .,,)
IV. Observation and Data

A. Effect of Angle on a projectile

Be sure air resistance is off and spend some time firing various
projectiles.
• Set the initial speed to a value between 10-15m/s. Choose your
favorite projectile. Weight of canno ball= Diameter og csnnon ball =
Initial Velocity=
• Find the range of the projectile at various angles.
Angle Range (m) Time of flight (s)

30
40
50
60
70
80
90
*Take at least 3 screenshot showing the phet simulation result while holding your laptop.

B. Hitting a target by guessing:

• Measure the distance from the cannon to the target using the tape
measure.
• Move the target to 21.0 m from the cannon.
• You only have 3 attempts to hit the target by changing the
firing angle and initial velocity.
Guess:
1. Angle= Initial V = Hit target
(y/n)
2. Angle= Initial V = Hit target
(y/n)
3. Angle= Initial V = Hit target
(y/n)
*Take a screenshot showing your data result.
C. Air Resistance:
 Using the same angle and velocity l a u n c h a projectile with
friction. How does friction affect explain your results using newton's laws.

Time of flight:
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Range:_______________
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D. Horizontal and Vertical Components:

Calculate the components of the following projectile's velocities:
1.V = 35 m/s Ѳ = 15 ͦ Vx = Vy =
2.V = 35 m/s Ѳ = 30 ͦ Vx = Vy =

3.V = 35 m/s Ѳ = 45 ͦ Vx = Vy =

4.V = 35 m/s Ѳ = 60 ͦ Vx = Vy =

5.V = 35 m/s Ѳ = 75 ͦ Vx = Vy =

6.V = 35 m/s Ѳ = 90 ͦ Vx = Vy =

 We can reverse the process and combine the two components of velocity
back into one velocity fired at an angle .
 The magnitude of velocity is found using the Pythagorean Theorem with v« and Vy as
the legs
o of a right triangle. For instance, the velocity of a projectile with an x-
2 2
component of 7.2 and a y- component of 4.8 is ,J7.2 + 4.8 = 8.7 m/s .
 The angle above the horizontal is found using the inverse tangent (tan+) of the legs
vy/vx. For
 instance, the angle of the projectile described above would be tan -1 (4.8) = .
7.2
Calculate the velocity magnitude and angle of the projectiles listed below:

7. Vx=5.6 vy=6.4 V= Ѳ=
8. Vx = 2.8 Vy = 4.9 V= Ѳ=
9. Vx=8.1 Vy=7.2 V= Ѳ=

V. Problems and Question

1. How does the initial speed affect the range of the projectile?

2. How does the range vary with launch speed? It is a linear relationship?

3. Experiment with different launch speeds. What is the significance of the small circles that the
simulation places on the trajectory?

4. An object is thrown with an initial velocity of 50 m/s at 20ͦ ͦ from the ground. One mile away
is the river. Will the object reach the river?

5. Calculate the range and height released at an angle of 45 ͦ with a velocity of 40 m/s.

VI. Conclusion
VII REMARKS/Documentation( a screen shot showing the step by step procedure.