Projectile Motion
This Applet shows the path of a cannonball fired
into the air over a horizontal ground. You can change the initial speed
of the cannonball, the angle at which the cannonball is fired, and the
mass of the cannonball. Try the following:
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The maximum height of the cannonball above the ground
and the range(maximum distance) of the cannonball is displayed. Using the
initial speed and angle of the cannonball calculate the maximum height
and the range and verify that the displayed values are correct. (Of course
you must do this with "air resistance" turned off.)
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Also verify that the final speed and flight time
diplayed are correct.
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For a given cannonball speed, see if you can find
the angle that makes the cannonball have the largest range. (i.e. land
as far away from the cannon as possible). Do this with "air resistance"
turned off (this is not like real life).
-
Turn on "air resistance" on and see how things change.
Does the mass of the cannonball make a difference now?
Programming: Drew Dolgert
Owner and contact: Michael Fowler - mf1i@virginia.edu
Date: 22 September 1998
Version: 1.0
Distribution: Gnu Public License
Language: Java 1.1
Details