Conflict Physics Week 1

MINILessons and Tasks

What is projectile motion?

• The motion of an object that is given an initial force and pushed into the air at an angle.
• The only force acting on the object while it’s in the air is gravity.
• It follows a parabolic path determined by the effect of the initial force and gravity.
• Examples:

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Task: Analyze and Interpret Data using a Simulation

1. Go to phet simulations
1. Physics
2. Projectile motion
2. We will do question 1 and 2 and part of Experiment 1 together.
3. Complete the 3 Experiments and Conclusion.

How do you describe projectile motion?

• Projectile Motion included motion in TWO directions
• 1: the object is moving forward, being pushed out (horizontally)
• 2: The object is also moving up, then down (vertically)
• The path in 2 directions is called a parabola or trajectory
• Newton’s Laws play a huge role in projectile motion
• Forces
• Acceleration

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Task: Analyze & Interpret Data from Paper Airplane Lab

1. Fold/design 2 different paper airplanes.
2. Consider using different patterns, paper or weight.
3. Work in partners to measure flight time and distance.

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What conclusions can we draw from the paper airplane lab yesterday?

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1. There were many variables at play in the projectile motion of the paper airplane: thrust, lift, drag, mass.
2. Usually for projectiles that we will study other forces like air resistance (drag) will be negligible.
1. When would be a case where the drag would not be negligible? Where you would want to factor it in?
3. If you study advanced physics you will use calculus to derive the impact of air resistance.

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Task: Analyze and Interpret Data of a falling projectile.

1. Work in partners or small groups (3)
1. Have one group member be in charge of timing the falling projectile.
2. Have one group member be in charge of measuring the launch angle, the X and the Y distances.
2. You will try at least 3 different angles, and 3 trials at each angle.
3. Graph and complete at least 3 analysis questions.

What is acceleration due to gravity?

In the absence of gravity, the cannonball would continue its horizontal motion at a constant velocity. This is consistent with the law of inertia.

If dropped from rest in the presence of gravity, the cannonball would accelerate downward, gaining speed at a rate of 9.8 m/s every second.

This is consistent with our conception of free-falling objects accelerating at a rate known as the acceleration of gravity.

One misconception: Technically, forces do not cause motion--they change the acceleration of an object. This is Newton's first law of motion that a force is not needed to keep an object in motion.

Task: Analyze and Interpret Projectile Data during Lab

What do you notice about catapults?

Describe 2 bullet points:

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Record one thought you had using the following starter:

I wonder (if, how, what)....

Task: Create, Build, Analyze and Interpret Data in a Design Lab

1. Brainstorm and diagram 2 original catapult designs. Label your materials used in your diagram.
1. You may use your design from yesterday as inspiration, but must design/build new catapult set-ups today.
2. Everyone must diagram 2 original designs but you may work in partners to build and test if you choose.
2. Create a list of materials used for the design you choose to build.
3. Collect Data on your catapult design.
4. Complete 4 Analysis questions.