Plan the investigation
What students will do
Use the student handout to organize predictions, measurements, and explanations.
- Measure the target. Locate the launch center and platform edges. Include the projectile radius when finding the center height at contact.
- Calculate a launch. Choose a landing point and use vertical motion to find the descending contact time. Calculate the required horizontal velocity.
- Test and revise. Enter both velocity components, observe the landing, and use any miss to explain a revision.
- Find a second solution. Choose a different vertical launch velocity. Calculate and test another launch that reaches the same point.
What students will learn
- Use geometry and a consistent position reference.
- Combine horizontal and vertical kinematics to design a launch.
- Use observed results to evaluate and refine a prediction.
Common misconception
Is passing above the platform enough to hit the target?
A landing requires the projectile to reach the contact height and horizontal target region at the same time.