PROJECTILE MOTION
AN INVESTIGATION OF PROJECTILE MOTION
Designing a Projectile Launcher:
An Investigation Of Projectile Motion
Mark Clubine
KitchenerWaterloo Collegiate Institute and Vocational School
1
AN INVESTIGATION OF PROJECTILE MOTION
2
Introduction
Projectile motion is a form of motion where an object (called a projectile) is thrown near the earth’s surface, following a parabolic path being influenced only by gravity (Science
Clarified, 2004). Due to aristotelian influence, it was once common belief that projectiles were propelled by an external force called Impetus. This force caused an object to fly in a horizontal line and when depleted, the lack of impetus caused the object to fall directly to the ground
(Jennings, 1995). Galileo Galilei was the first scientist to provide correct insight for this matter.
After a series of experiments, Galileo was able to conclude that projectiles were not affected by impetus but rather, forces acting independently in vertical and horizontal directions. His experiments also proved that projectiles do not follow a direct paths vertically or horizontally, but instead fall in a parabolic manner. Further, after his famed investigation at the Tower of Pisa,
Galileo concluded that all objects (neglecting air resistance) no matter the mass, accelerate towards earth at a constant rate (Jennings, 1995). These findings have shaped the modern understanding of projectile motion.
As the understanding of mechanics progressed, physicists developed a way to observe the motion of objects. Using mathematical functions and geometry, Kinematics studies the relationship of trajectories, velocities, accelerations and displacements (Wikipedia, 2014). Five equations have been derived specifically for the purpose of analyzing Kinematics. Projectile motion is the product of these components working simultaneously and relies heavily on these formulas. Among the five equations
Designing a Projectile Launcher:
An Investigation Of Projectile Motion
Mark Clubine
KitchenerWaterloo Collegiate Institute and Vocational School
1
AN INVESTIGATION OF PROJECTILE MOTION
2
Introduction
Projectile motion is a form of motion where an object (called a projectile) is thrown near the earth’s surface, following a parabolic path being influenced only by gravity (Science
Clarified, 2004). Due to aristotelian influence, it was once common belief that projectiles were propelled by an external force called Impetus. This force caused an object to fly in a horizontal line and when depleted, the lack of impetus caused the object to fall directly to the ground
(Jennings, 1995). Galileo Galilei was the first scientist to provide correct insight for this matter.
After a series of experiments, Galileo was able to conclude that projectiles were not affected by impetus but rather, forces acting independently in vertical and horizontal directions. His experiments also proved that projectiles do not follow a direct paths vertically or horizontally, but instead fall in a parabolic manner. Further, after his famed investigation at the Tower of Pisa,
Galileo concluded that all objects (neglecting air resistance) no matter the mass, accelerate towards earth at a constant rate (Jennings, 1995). These findings have shaped the modern understanding of projectile motion.
As the understanding of mechanics progressed, physicists developed a way to observe the motion of objects. Using mathematical functions and geometry, Kinematics studies the relationship of trajectories, velocities, accelerations and displacements (Wikipedia, 2014). Five equations have been derived specifically for the purpose of analyzing Kinematics. Projectile motion is the product of these components working simultaneously and relies heavily on these formulas. Among the five equations
References: Mazur, L. (2014) Volume 1, Projectile Motion. Retrieved from: asdfasdhttp://www.scienceclarified.com/everyday/RealLifeChemistryVol3PhysicsVol1/Pro sdfasdfjectileMotion.html On November 24, 2014 Jennigs, S. (1995). Galileo 's Work On Projectile Motion. Retrieved from: Wikipedia (2014) Kinematics. Retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinematics On November 25, 2014. Coffey, J. (2010) What Is Air Resistance. Retrieved from: http://www.universetoday.com/73315/whatisairresistance On November 27, 2014. NASA (2008) Size Effects On Drag. Retrieved from: asdf http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/k12/airplane/sized.html On November 28, 2014. NASA (2008) Shape Effects On Drag. Retrieved from: asdfasdhttp://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/k12/airplane/shaped.html On November 28, 2014. NSF. Science of The Winter Olympics, Ski Jumping. Retrieved from: asdfasdhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDpxSLv89Y8 On November 28, 2014. November 28, 2014 Huang, J. The Speed Of A Skydiver. Retrieved from: http://hypertextbook.com/facts/JianHuang.shtml On November 28, 2014