Inquiry Level 1.513672
I.
Topic Area
IV. Math Skills
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Gravity, Angles, and
Measurement
II. Objectives
Students will use the
projectile launchers
to launch a ball and
measure the distance
traveled.
Science Skills
 Forces
 Gravity
 Observation
 Recording Data
 Inquiry
Students will graph
their data.
Students will use
inquiry and
estimation and their
data to predict
distances of future
launches.
Students will relate
the activity to the
real world.
III. Description of
Activity
Students will be in
groups of 4. Each
group will launch a
projectile at
different angles,
measuring the
distance each time.
They will then graph
their results and use
the graph to predict
the correct angle to
achieve a certain
distance.
Graphing
Measurement
Metric System
Angles
Estimation
V.
Arkansas Math
Standards
NO.3.6.4
Estimate reasonable
solutions
to problem situations
involving
fractions and
decimals
G.10.6.1
Use ordered pairs to
plot
points in Quadrant I
M.12.6.1
Identify and select
appropriate
units and tools from
both
systems to measure
Ex.
angles with degrees,
distance
with feet/meters
M.13.6.6
Use estimation to
check the
reasonableness of
measurements obtained
from
use of various
instruments
(including angle
measures)
DAP.14.6.3
Construct and
interpret graphs,
using correct scale,
including
line graphs and
double-bar
graphs
VI. Arkansas Science
Standards
PS.1.4. Interpret
scientific
information from
graphs and charts.
PS.2.6. Experiment
with forces (gravity,
magnetism, and
electricity).
PS.2.7. Investigate
the laws of motion.
PS.3.2. Demonstrate
how physical science
is connected to
mathematics (analyze
collected data).
ES.1.3. Generate
conclusions based on
evidence acquired
through
experimentation.
ES.1.4. Interpret
scientific
information from
graphs and charts.
VII. Materials
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Launchers
Measuring tapes
Post-it notes
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Colored pencils
Graph paper
Coffee cans
VIII. Prerequisite
Skills
Students should have
a knowledge of:
 measuring in the
metric system
 graphing
 gravity
 basic angle
measurement
IX. Key Question
How does the angle of
projection affect the
distance an object
travels?
X.
Management
Suggestions
1. The group of 4
should consist of one
launcher, two
spotters, and one
catcher
2. Instruct the
students to secure
the launcher by
stepping on its base.
3. Tell students to
use their graph to
estimate the angle
to achieve their
given distance
XI. Procedure
1. Set up launcher
with ample space to
launch the
projectile.
2. Give each group
the measuring tape,
post-it notes,
colored pencils,
graph paper, and a
coffee can.
3. Have the students
launch the ball at
angles of 0, 15, 30,
45, 60, and 75
degrees.
4. For each angle
they should shoot the
projectile at the
three different
settings of the
launcher.
5. Spotters should
mark the landing of
the projectile with
the post-it notes.
6. After each angle,
the students should
use the measuring
tape to measure the
distance to each
landing spot.
7. They should then
graph the results on
their graph paper.
8. After completing
all angles, instruct
the students to place
their coffee can at a
given distance and
use their graph to
predict the required
angle and setting of
the launcher.
9. Let the students
experiment with the
launcher until they
get the projectile in
the can.
10.
Have the
students record
this angle and
compare it with
their prediction.
XII. Discussion and
Follow-up
1. which angle gave
the farthest
distance?
2. How close was
your predicted angle
to the actual angle?
3. How accurate was
your graph?
4. What other units
of measurement could
we have used?
5. If the ball’s
mass was different,
how would that have
affected your
results?
6. What real-world
applications does
this experiment have?
XIII. Enrichment
1. In order to make
it more difficult, do
not give the students
anything to measure
the distance or the
angle with, have them
come up with their
own method and units.
2. Fix a launcher so
that as soon as it
launches, an object
across the room
drops. Have the
students decide where
to aim the launcher
in order to hit the
object. They should
realize that since
gravity acts on the
projectile and the
object in the same
way, the launcher
must be directly
aimed at the object
in order to hit it.