Projectile+Motion

=Step 1. Research your topic.=

The topic you will research is projectile motion. Read the following articles and take notes on your wiki page. Resource 1 - The Physics of Football http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/physics-of-football1.htm Resource 2 - Physics and Biomechanics - Projectile Motion http://btc.montana.edu/olympics/physbio/biomechanics/pm-intro.html Resource 3 -

=Step 2. Make some observations.=

Use the projectile motion simulation web site to make some initial observations. Set the controls at different levels and write down your observations. You can write about your manipulations and observations in your lab notebook and/or on your wiki page. Simulation 1 http://phet.colorado.edu/simulations/sims.php?sim=Projectile_Motion Features of this simulation: Simulation 2 http://www.walter-fendt.de/ph14e/projectile.htm
 * The cannon can be raised up. If the angle is 270, the cannon is raised up, and the velocity is 0 you can simulate dropping an object.
 * The angle of the cannon can be changed by clicking and dragging the barrel.
 * The moon has no air so no air resistance. On Earth there is air, so air resistance is present. Try changing the diameter of the object when air resistance is turned on to measure the effect of diameter on the motion of the object.

=Step 3. Ask a question.=

Now it is time to ask a question of your own. You will use the simulation to conduct your experiment so no need to buy any materials. You just need your computer.

The question should follow this format: What affect will //__this__// have on //__that.__ Your// independent variable will go in the first blank and your dependent variable in the second. The independent variable will be the factor in the experiment that you purposefully change and the dependent variable will be the responding factor that you will measure during the experiment.

=Step 4. Experimental Design.=

Complete a design diagram with the following information. Purpose: Hypothesis: Independent Variable: Levels of the Independent Variable: Number of Repeated Trials: Dependent Variable: Constants: Procedure: Diagram of Set Up:

=Step 5. Prepare your data table.=

Construct a data table so that the independent variable is in the first column and the columns to the right contain the dependent variable along with other observations you wish to record. Make a separate column for each repeated trial. Give the table a title and label your columns with the variable names and units. You can also include a column to record the mean of your repeated trials.


 * =  ||||||||= Dependent Variable (units) ||
 * = Independent Variable (units) ||= Trial 1 ||= Trial 2 ||= Trial 3 ||= Mean ||
 * = Level 1 ||=  ||=   ||=   ||=   ||
 * = Level 2 ||=  ||=   ||=   ||=   ||

=Step 6. Perform the Experiment.=

Now, set all of the constant parameters and begin testing your independent variable. Record all of your data in your data table.

=Step 7. Create a Graph.=

Decide on an appropriate graph to best display your data. Create the graph making sure to include a title, axis labels with units, and a correct scale.

=Step 8. Write a 3 paragraph conlcusion.=

Paragraph 1 -
Summarize the data. Describe the relationship between the variables, use a measure of central tendency to decribe the typical data, and describe the variation in the data using the range, 5 number summary, or the interquartile range.

Paragraph 2 -
Explain whether the hypothesis was supported or disproved. Give numerical evidence from the data table and graphs to support your claim.

Paragraph 3 -
Define the important concepts needed to understand your experiment. Then relate these concepts to your experiment. Finally, relate your experiment to a real world situation.