PhysicsLAB: 2D Projectiles

Use the scale 1 cm = 5 m, list in the table provided the vertical positions of a ball dropped from rest at 1-second intervals. Neglect air resistance and assume g = 10 m/s². When the ball is no longer in the air, enter NA into the forms provided.

The first column states the time in seconds.
The second column states the ball's instantaneous displacement from the top of the cliff.

1 sec

2 secs

3 secs

4 secs

5 secs

6 secs

When you "mentally" connect the ball's positions with a smooth curve to show its path, what is the path's shape?

The first four horizontal positions of the thrown ball with no gravity are plotted at 1-second intervals. Using the scale, 1 cm = 5 m, along with the facts that air resistance can be neglected and g = 10 m/s², list both the horizontal and vertical positions of the ball at the end of each 1-second interval.

The first column states the time in seconds.
The second column states the ball's instantaneous vertical displacement from the top of the cliff.
The third column states the ball's instantaneous horizontal displacement from the edge of the cliff.

1 sec

2 secs

3 secs

4 secs

When you "mentally" connect the ball's positions with a smooth curve to show its path, what is the path's shape?

How is the motion in the vertical direction affected by the motion in the horizontal direction?

This time the ball is thrown below the horizontal. Using the same scale, 1 cm = 5 m, along with the facts that air resistance can be neglected and g = 10 m/s², list both the horizontal and vertical positions of the ball at the end of each 1-second interval.

The first column states the time in seconds.
The second column states the ball's instantaneous vertical displacement from the top of the cliff.
The third column states the ball's instantaneous horizontal displacement from the edge of the cliff.

1 sec

2 secs

3 secs

4 secs

When you "mentally" connect the ball's positions with a smooth curve to show its path, how does its shape differ from that created in the previous question?

Estimate the number of seconds the ball remains in the air.

Refer to the following information for the next question.

Suppose that you are an accident investigator and you are asked to figure out whether or not the car was speeding before it crashed through the rail of the bridge and into the mudbank as shown. The speed limit on the bridge is 55 mph = 24 m/s.

What is your conclusion?

traveling slower than the speed limit
traveling at the speed limit
traveling faster than the speed limit