Lesson 3 of 3

Projectile Motion in 2D

Analyze projectile motion by breaking it into independent horizontal and vertical components. Conduct virtual experiments to verify predictions.

Challenge60 min

Projectile Motion

Key Concepts

Horizontal motion: constant velocity
Vertical motion: constant acceleration ( $g = 9.8 \text{ m/s}^2$ )
Components are independent!

Watch: Projectile Motion Explained

17 min · watch

See how projectiles follow parabolic paths.

Read: Vector Components

12 min · read

Breaking into Components

Given launch angle $\theta$ and speed $v_0$ :

Horizontal: $v_{0x} = v_0 \cos(\theta)$
Vertical: $v_{0y} = v_0 \sin(\theta)$

Equations:

$x = v_{0x} \cdot t$
$y = v_{0y} \cdot t - \frac{1}{2}gt^2$

Lab: Virtual Cannon Experiment

25 min · lab

Adjust angle, speed, and mass. Compare predicted vs actual landing points!

Practice: Projectile Problems

6 min · quiz

Question

At what angle should you launch a projectile for maximum range (ignoring air resistance)?

$30^\circ$$45^\circ$$60^\circ$$90^\circ$

Previous Back to Topic

Motion and Forces

Lesson 3 of 3

Projectile Motion in 2D

Analyze projectile motion by breaking it into independent horizontal and vertical components. Conduct virtual experiments to verify predictions.

Challenge60 min

Projectile Motion

Key Concepts

Horizontal motion: constant velocity
Vertical motion: constant acceleration ( $g = 9.8 \text{ m/s}^2$ )
Components are independent!

Watch: Projectile Motion Explained

17 min · watch

See how projectiles follow parabolic paths.

Read: Vector Components

12 min · read

Breaking into Components

Given launch angle $\theta$ and speed $v_0$ :

Horizontal: $v_{0x} = v_0 \cos(\theta)$
Vertical: $v_{0y} = v_0 \sin(\theta)$

Equations:

$x = v_{0x} \cdot t$
$y = v_{0y} \cdot t - \frac{1}{2}gt^2$

Lab: Virtual Cannon Experiment

25 min · lab

Adjust angle, speed, and mass. Compare predicted vs actual landing points!

Practice: Projectile Problems

6 min · quiz

Question

At what angle should you launch a projectile for maximum range (ignoring air resistance)?

$30^\circ$$45^\circ$$60^\circ$$90^\circ$

Previous Back to Topic

Projectile Motion

Key Concepts

Watch: Projectile Motion Explained

Read: Vector Components

Breaking into Components

Given launch angle θ\thetaθ and speed v0v_0v0​:

Equations:

Lab: Virtual Cannon Experiment

Practice: Projectile Problems

Projectile Motion

Key Concepts

Watch: Projectile Motion Explained

Read: Vector Components

Breaking into Components

Given launch angle θ\thetaθ and speed v0v_0v0​:

Equations:

Lab: Virtual Cannon Experiment

Practice: Projectile Problems

Given launch angle $\theta$ and speed $v_0$ :

Given launch angle $\theta$ and speed $v_0$ :