Projectiles

Two motions at once

An interactive lesson with 9 steps, about 8 minutes: you predict, drag and solve, with instant feedback on every answer. It runs in your browser and needs JavaScript.

What you’ll learn

• Horizontal and vertical motions are independent.
• Horizontally: constant $v_x = v\cos\theta$. Vertically: free fall starting at $v_y = v\sin\theta$.
• On level ground, range $R = v^2 \sin 2\theta / g$: maximum at 45°, equal for complementary angles.

Steps

1. Rolled vs. dropped
2. See for yourself
3. Off the cliff
4. Splitting the launch velocity
5. The monkey and the hunter
6. Hit the target
7. The best angle
8. Twin angles
9. At the peak