Projectile Motion lab

In order to demonstrate rpoject motion, we threw a basketball in the air. We videotaped this motion using video physics, and we plotted points along the flight path of the basketball. We were then able to creat graphs with which we examined the projectile motion of the basketball. 

Graph of x velocity 

Mh linear fit equation was y= -1.740 x+ 3.424. Since the slope is relatively close to 0, it is a horizontal line. Since the slope is 0, the acceleration is 0 in the x direction. The object is moving to the left because the velocity is negative. There is no horizontal force, so it is traveling at a constant speed horizontally. The equation is Vx(t)= Vxi. 

Graph of y velocity: 

My linear fit equations was y= -11.336x + 5.245. When the velocity is postive, it is slowing down and moving upward. At Vy= 0, it turns around, and speeds up moving downward due to the negative velocity. The velocity of y is constantly changing with time. The slope is the acceleration due to velocity. 

The equation is Vy(t)= -10m/s2t + Vyi. These graphs always have a slope of -10m/s2 and are never curved. 

Graph of x:

My linear fit equation was y= 2.746x + .089. The slope of x vs t is Vx. The object is moving in the t direction and rightward. The equation is x(t)= Vxt+ Xi. These graphs are never curved because velocity is constant. 

Graph of y:

The equation of my linear fit line was y= 1.139x + .587. The graphs for y are always curved as it demonstrates the flight path. The equation is y(t)= (-10m/s2) t2 + Vyit +Yi. 

Forces in Two Dimensions

• How do we analyze forces in 2-Dimensions?                                                                         We can analyze forces in two dimensions by analyzing each dimension separately. We use the x or horizontal dimension and the y or vertical dimension. In order to analyze the dimensions separately, we can use trigonometry. We use fx= F cos theta and fy= f sin theta. You get the net force for each dimension when you add the vertical and hortizontal components separately. 
• How do forces cause objects to move in a circle?                                                   Centripetal force is any force that causes and object to move in a circular motion. The centripetal force is a center-pointing net force, which causes the object to move in a circle. The object can move at constant speed, but it is constantly changing direction. 
• What does it mean to be in orbit? How do satellites orbit planets? How do planets orbit the sun?                                                                                                                                           To be in orbit means that one object is on a continuous elliptical path around another object in space. Satellites orbit planets because an object will stay in motion unless and unbalance force acts on it. The force of gravity pulls the satellite towards the earth. The satellite is actually falling around the earth because as the earth curves, the satellite curves. It must be in orbital velocity. Planets orbit the sun because of the centripetal force of gravity that comes from the sun. There is no other force in the solar system to keep them from orbiting. The earth orbits at a constant speed, but it is accelerating because the direction of it's velocity is constantly changing.