Projectile Motion

Grade 11 · Physics

Semester 1 | Period 1 | Week 3

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Subject: Physics

Semester: 1

Period: 1

Week: 3


School Name:

Teacher’s Name:

Subject: Physics

Grade Level: Grade 11

Week & Period: Week 3, Period I

Date:

Sub-topic: Projectile Motion

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, learners should be able to:

  1. Define projectile motion and identify its characteristics.
  2. Understand the independence of horizontal and vertical motions.
  3. Use equations of motion to analyze projectile trajectories.
  4. Calculate range, time of flight, and maximum height of projectiles.

 

Previous Knowledge

Learners should know about vectors, resolution of vectors, and equations of uniform motion.

 

Instructional Materials

  • Projectile launcher (or improvised setup using a spring or ramp)
  • Stopwatch
  • Meter rule
  • Graph paper
  • Whiteboard and markers

 

Anticipation (Warm-Up) – 5 minutes

Ask:

  • “What path does a ball follow when thrown at an angle?”
  • “Can the horizontal and vertical parts of this motion be considered separately?”
    Lead into projectile motion as two-dimensional motion under gravity.

 

Building Knowledge (Main Lesson) – 25 minutes

  1. Definition:
  • A projectile is an object thrown into the air, moving under the influence of gravity alone (neglecting air resistance).

     

Example Calculation:

A projectile is launched with an initial velocity of 20 m/s at an angle of 30° to the horizontal. Calculate:
a) Time of flight
b) Maximum height
c) Range


Learners’ Activities

  • Conduct a simple experiment by rolling a ball off a table to observe projectile motion.
  • Calculate time of flight and range for different launch angles and speeds.
  • Plot the trajectory on graph paper using calculated points.

 

Consolidation (Review and Assessment) – 10 minutes

Oral Questions:

  • What forces act on a projectile during its flight?
  • Why does the horizontal velocity remain constant?
  • Calculate the range for a projectile launched at 25 m/s at 45°.

 

Homework / Assignment

  • A projectile is launched at 15 m/s at 60°. Calculate: time of flight, maximum height, and range.
  • Draw the path of a projectile and label key points (maximum height, range, time of flight).

 

Notes – Detailed and Explained

  • Projectile motion is two-dimensional motion composed of independent horizontal and vertical motions.
  • Gravity only affects vertical motion, causing acceleration downward.
  • Understanding projectile motion is crucial for sports, engineering, and ballistics.
  • Calculations rely heavily on trigonometry and equations of motion.

 

Expanded Notes / Instructions

  • Emphasize the independence of horizontal and vertical components.
  • Use diagrams to illustrate vector components and trajectory.
  • Discuss assumptions (e.g., neglecting air resistance).

 

Inclusive / Differentiation

  • Use videos or animations to visualize projectile motion for visual learners.
  • Hands-on experiments for kinesthetic learners.
  • Provide stepwise problem-solving guides for learners needing extra support.

 

Teacher’s Reflection (Post-Lesson Questions)

  • Did learners understand the parabolic nature of projectile motion?
  • Were they able to separate motions into components effectively?
  • How well did they apply formulas to calculate flight time, height, and range?