Projectile motion

This applet illustrates projectile motion of an object in vacuo (without air resistance; the red curve) and in an atmosphere (with air resistance; the blue curve). The strength of gravity on the object is given by the parameter "g" and the drag resistance the object experiences due to the atmosphere is given by the parameter "κ". The angle "θ" gives the angle, with respect to the horizontal, at which the object is "launched" and the variable "v" is the initial speed of the object.

Below the graphs are three sliders. The "l" and "r" sliders set the left and right endpoints, respectively, of the time interval. The "t" slider allows you to set the time in the flight of the projectile.

Play with the various sliders to see how they affect the graphs. In particular, note what happens to the blue curve as you slide κ towards zero and as you make its value larger and larger. Also, note what happens to the curves as you slide "g" towards zero and as you make its value larger.

Enjoy!

Gary Church, Created with GeoGebra