Question

I have to do an experiment/ demonstration for my PHY251 class (Calculus based physics). I am only allowed to do it on one of the following topics: Vectors, Accelerated motion, Centripetal force, Free fall, projectile motion, Inertia, Equilibrium, Friction, Orbits, Tides. Does anyone have any ideas for a cool demonstration? Please provide instructions for the demonstration/experiment. Thank you in advance.

Answer 1

You can easily do a demonstration or experiment on Projectile Motion.

You will have to show what is projectile and its types.

To make them realise you can give example of a baseball pitch or strike, or a basketball throw. How the players exert the force on the object once and how the ball keeps on moving on its own after that. You can also demonstrate how the motion is in two dimensions as the ball moves in both horizontal and vertical directions simultaneously.

To show the Projectile motion.

1. Horizontal Projectile. First explain what is horizontal projectile. Then you can call any student to the front and ask him to throw a ball horizontally. Then they will realize how the ball fall down and the trajectory of the ball. You can then derive the requisite equations. You can also show them the dependence of range on the launch velocity by asking the student to throw the object with less and nore force.

2. Oblique projectile. To show oblique projectile, you can again explain what oblique projectile is. Then again you can call some other student to throw a ball with an initial angle with the horizontal. They can realize its trajectory. Then you can show the dependence on launch angle and velocity by asking the student to throw the prohectile at different angles and difference launch velocities.

If any projectile experiment set is available, you can use that too.

Hope this is helpful.