GROUP 1: AngleQuest: Exploring the Firing Angle-Range Connection
Directions: Today we will look at the relationship that launch angle plays with projectile motion. In this experiment,
we will change the angle of a cannon and see how it affects the distance a cannonball will travel.
[Link]
Procedure:
1. Scan the QR Code for the simulation. Click the “Play” button and then click on “Lab”.
2. Adjust the height of the cannon to 0 m and set the “Initial Speed” slider to 15 m/s.
3. Use the data table to determine what angle the cannon should be placed.
4. Launch the cannon by clicking the symbol
5. After you fire the cannon ball, use the blue data box to measure the distance the canon ball flew.
a. Do this by lining the circle the left of the blue box up with the spot the cannonball landed.
b. Range = distance traveled
6. Record the distance the canon ball travels on the data table.
Data Table:
Firing Angle Distance in Meter (Cannonball)
25º
30º
45º
60º
65º
Guide Questions:
1. What angle of release results in the longest range?
2. As the angles increase from 45 degrees to 90 degrees, what happens to the maximum height of the projectile?
3. Why do 25 and 65 degrees, and 30 and 60 degrees have the same range?
4. What have you observed in the distance covered by a cannonball (range) when the firing angle is increased?
GROUP 2: Velocity Voyage: Unraveling the Initial Velocity-Range Link
Directions: Today we will look at the relationship that initial velocity plays with projectile motion. In this experiment,
we will change the initial velocity of a cannon and see how it affects the distance a cannonball will travel.
[Link]
Procedure:
1. Scan the QR Code for the simulation. Click the “Play” button and then click on “Lab”.
2. Adjust the height of the cannon to 8 m and set the angle to 30 degrees.
3. Use the data table to determine what initial velocity should be placed.
4. Launch the cannon by clicking the symbol
5. After you fire the cannon ball, use the blue data box to measure the distance the cannon ball flew.
a. Do this by lining the circle the left of the blue box up with the spot the cannonball landed.
b. Range = distance traveled
6. Record the distance the canon ball travels on the data table.
Data:
Initial Velocity Range (Distance in Meter)
8 m/s
12 m/s
16 m/s
20 m/s
Guide Questions:
1. What is the range of the projectile?
2. What happens to the range of a projectile when the firing angle is constant as initial velocity increases?
3. Why do you think when you increase the initial velocity, the range of the projectile increases, assuming the
firing angle remains the same?
GROUP 3: Angle Altitude Adventure: Investigating Firing Angles and Maximum Heights
Directions: Today we will look at the relationship that angle plays with projectile motion. In this experiment, we will
change the angle of a cannon and see how it affects the time of flight a cannonball will travel.
[Link]
Procedure:
1. Scan the QR Code for the simulation. Click the “Play” button and then click on “Lab”.
2. Adjust the height of the cannon to 10 m and set the initial velocity to 18 m/s.
3. Use the data table to determine what angle should be placed.
4. Launch the cannon by clicking the symbol
5. After you fire the cannon ball, use the blue data box to measure the distance the cannon ball flew.
a. Do this by lining the circle the left of the blue box up with the spot the cannonball landed.
6. Record the time of flight the canon ball travels on the data table.
Data:
Firing Angle Time of Flight (peak/ highest point of the
height)
25º
45º
65º
75º
90º
Guide Questions:
1. Is there an angle at which height becomes the greatest possible for a given initial velocity?
2. What have you observed in the distance covered by a cannonball (range) when the firing angle is increased
3. What happens to the maximum height when the firing angle increases?