Projectile Motion

Learning objectives

Use the prepared scene to investigate the following physical ideas:

• Vector components
• Acceleration due to gravity
• Projectile trajectories

Available controls

The workspace lets you pause and play the scene, select its objects, edit the starting properties described below, reset the scene, and inspect configured live graph measurements.

1. Select the projectile to edit launch speed and angle.
2. Press Play to launch along the visible velocity vector.
3. Use the trajectory and graphs to compare horizontal and vertical motion.

Expected observations

• Horizontal velocity changes slowly while vertical velocity changes under gravity.
• The trajectory is approximately parabolic.
• Air drag gradually removes mechanical energy.

Model limitations

The scene is two-dimensional and uses a simplified drag model. It does not model wind, spin, or a varying gravitational field.

Simulation output is educational and approximate. Verify important results with independent calculations or physical measurements.