Horizontal Projectile Motion with Cobra DigiMotion

Principle

Horizontal projectile motion is a classical type of motion in mechanics. It consists of two independent components: a uniform motion in the horizontal direction and free fall in the vertical direction. The simultaneous superposition of these two motions results in a parabolic trajectory. Gravity acts only in the vertical direction and determines how quickly the object falls to the ground, while the initial horizontal velocity affects only the range of the projectile. In an idealized case without air resistance, every object with the same initial velocity follows the same parabolic path. With the MotionBoard, the motion can be recorded precisely in real time, allowing both the trajectory and the individual motion components to be analyzed.

Tasks

Perform several horizontal launches of a MotionDot with different initial velocities.
Record the motion in real time using the MotionBoard.
Separate the motion into horizontal and vertical components.
Determine the flight path and analyze the trajectory.
Repeat the measurements several times to obtain average values and characteristic motion curves.
Compare the measured trajectory with the theoretical model and discuss possible deviations.

Learning objective

Learners should first recognize that horizontal projectile motion consists of a uniform horizontal motion and free fall in the vertical direction. To achieve this, an object is launched horizontally with a defined initial velocity and its trajectory is recorded using the MotionBoard. Students should become familiar with the concepts of horizontal and vertical motion, velocity, acceleration, and parabolic trajectories. From the beginning of their study of kinematics, they should be able to decompose motions into their components, determine trajectories, and evaluate measurement data graphically.

Benefits