Lesson Plan for Projectile Motion and predicting where objects will land. Student lab sheet (includes how to find uncertainties in the predicted landing spot).
Projectile motion is studied in most physics classes, since projectiles are so common in our lives. The idea that the parabolic trajectory of a thrown or kicked ball is due to the combination of a horizontal motion of constant velocity with a vertical motion of constant acceleration (free fall) can be eye-opening for anyone who has wondered why things move along those curves in the first place!
For those who want a more detailed explanation of the math behind projectile motion, check here. A second video looks at the change in trajectory when air friction is added.
For those who have access to the Internet and want computer simulations, check this PhET simulation you can experiment with.
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