Usage of PhET Simulations
Problem Teaching Projectile Motion to High School Juniors and Seniors on a Trig Based Level
Solution PhET Simulator “Projectile Motion”
Method 1. I have the students use the simulator to understand the different variables and how changing each variable will affect the outcome.
Method 2. We leave the simulator and make calculations using example problems. Ex: A cannon is fired at an angle of 56.4⁰ above the horizon with a velocity of 4.67 m/s. a.How far will the cannonball fly? b.How high will the cannonball fly? c.How long will the cannonball be in the air?
Method 3. We return to the simulator and plug in the variables from the example problems and verify our calculations.