Projectile Motion PhET Simulation
1. Go to the website http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/projectile-motion
2. Click “Run Now!”
Part I: Angle = 0 degrees (half-parabola)(cannon is horizontal the whole time)
Height = 5 meters (Raise the cannon platform so that after firing, the height box at the very top reads -5.0)
Initial
Speed
(m/s)
Range (m)
Height (m)
Time (s)
Range divided by Time
(m/s)
10
20
30
500
(zoom out)
1. What effect does the initial speed have on the time it takes the cannonball to land?
2. Compare the number values of the range and the initial speed. What effect does the initial speed have on
the range?
3. Compare the last column (range divided by time) to the initial speed.
Part II: Angle = 0 degrees (half-parabola)(cannon remains horizontal)
Height = 20 meters (Raise the cannon platform so that after firing, the height box at the very top reads -20.0)
Initial
Speed
(m/s)
Range (m)
Height (m)
Time (s)
Range divided by Time
(m/s)
10
20
30
500
(zoom out)
1. Compare the number values of the range and the initial speed. What effect does the initial speed have on
the range?
2. Compare the last column (range divided by time) to the initial speed.
Part III: Angle = 30 degrees (full-parabola)
Height = 0 meters (lower the cannon platform all the way down) ***You will need to observe the “height” box and
record the number in the box when the object is AT THE APEX along its trajectory.***You could also use the measuring
tape to find the height as well.
Initial
Speed
(m/s)
10
15
20
25
Range (m)
Height (m)
(use measuring tape)
Time (s)
Part IV: Initial Speed = 20 m/s (stays 20m/s for each trial)
Height = 0 meters (lower the cannon platform all the way down)(use measuring tape at apex)
Angle
(degrees)
Range (m)
Height (m)
(use measuring tape)
Time (s)
15
30
45
60
75
90
A. Which launch angle provides the greatest apex?
B. Which launch angle provides the greatest range?
C. Compare the range of 30˚ to 60˚. Which is bigger, or are they about the same?
D. How does mass influence the range keeping other variables constant?
E. How does launch velocity influence the range keeping other variables constant?
F. What causes the projectiles to have a curved path?
G. What is the acceleration of a projectile at the top of its path (apex)?