Online Simulation Projectile Motion Activity
(due Friday)
Students, please note that there is no need to print this page.
1. Use the online simulation for projectile motion to complete this question.
a) Assume there is no drag (set coefficient of drag to 0). Set the mass of the projectile to 1 kg.
Set the initial speed for the projectile to 38 m/s. Determine the angle for which the projectile
will reach the maximum distance traveled from its starting point by completing the following
table:
Launch Angle
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
80
85
90
Distance m (Δdx)
Total Time of flight (s)
b) Once you have determined the angle from the previous table, try adjusting the launch angle by
1 degree increments above and below to determine the maximum distance.
c) Set the coefficient of drag to 0.005. Set the mass of the projectile to 1 kg. Set the initial speed
for the projectile to 38 m/s. Determine the angle for which the projectile will reach the
maximum distance traveled from its starting point. Create an appropriate table with at least 5
different entries for angles, similar to the above table. When you are close to the answer, try
adjusting the launch angle by 1 degree increments to determine the maximum distance.
d) Increase the mass of the projectile to 100 kg. Set the coefficient of drag to 0.005. Does the
projectile travel a shorter or longer distance when mass increases and drag does not change?
Explain your observations.