Plan the investigation
What students will do
Use the student handout to organize predictions, measurements, and explanations.
- Compare the objects. Predict which shape launches faster, then measure each object’s speed and angular velocity on its table.
- Account for rolling energy. Calculate translational and rotational kinetic energy and check the rolling-without-slipping condition.
- Predict the flights. Use measured table speeds and the center-height drop to calculate flight time and each horizontal landing distance.
- Change the mass. Double both masses while keeping geometry fixed. Predict and test whether either landing distance changes.
What students will learn
- Compare translational and rotational energy for different shapes.
- Use measured launch speeds in projectile predictions.
- Distinguish release time from the start of each object’s flight.
Common misconception
Does the flight timer start when both objects are released?
Each object’s projectile flight begins at its own takeoff from the table.