On Friday, Physics D and F discussed the properties of projectile motion and focused on horizontally-launched projectiles to start. With these, all of the initial is in the x-direction and that velocity remains constant, so long as we assume air resistance is negligible. There is, however, acceleration in the y-direction and that is acceleration due to gravity. We worked practice problems in class and a few were assigned for homework, they being where Physics D began their class today. We reviewed these problems, then took a look at projectiles launched at an angle. For those examples, the initial velocity has both an x- and a y-component and they must be determined before we go further. We will work practice with these tomorrow in class. Physics F conducted a lab investigation that centered on horizontally-launched projectiles. Students had to take data on launch velocity and vertical displacement to determine the impact point of a ball bearing launched off the table and had only one shot to hit the target. Then, a specific target distance was set and students had to determine and establish the necessary velocity for launch. We'll go over this lab tomorrow, along with our homework problems before moving on to projectiles launched at an angle. Here's a video for 2-dimensional motion and vectors that sums up working with non-perpendicular vectors, horizontally-launched projectiles and projectiles launched at an angle:
Honors Physics reviewed vector resolution and vector combination before turning attention to non-perpendicular vectors. For these, there are more steps towards the resultant, but the steps are basically vector resolution and vector combination, so it's an implementation of skills we've already worked on. We worked on practice problems in class and will review them on Wednesday. Tomorrow, a lab that uses the vector nature of 2-dimensional motion as we investigation the motion of a horizontally-launched projectile. The first section of the above video has a refresher on vector operations, so check it out if you need help with the homework problems.
Intro Physics took time to complete their kinematics practice problems and students received individual assistance with areas of trouble. Tomorrow, we move on with motion, with a look at circular motion and then we'll take on motion in free-fall.
