UNDERSTAND THE SCIENCE
The physics behind the experiment
Ignoring air resistance, horizontal velocity stays constant and vertical acceleration is −g. At launch and landing at the same level: range R = v₀² sin(2θ)/g, time of flight T = 2v₀ sinθ/g and peak height H = v₀² sin²θ/(2g).
Try this guided investigation
- Set speed to 24 m/s and angle to 30°. Predict the landing range.
- Run the simulation and compare the calculated and observed range.
- Repeat for 45° and 60° without changing speed. What symmetry appears?
All numerical values follow the model assumptions stated here; artwork is schematic, not a scale engineering drawing.