Download Aaron Sommer, Zach Saucier

Aaron Sommer, Zach Saucier
Mr. Richardson
AP Physics C
18 Sep 2012
Ch 3
Relative Motion, http://demonstrations.wolfram.com/RelativeMotionInASubwayStation/
Visualizes classical relativity. Helped learning through interaction of locations of observer,
person in aisle, and background train. Would be useful for a middle-schooler, as applet is very
elementary.
3D Projectile Motions, http://demonstrations.wolfram.com/3DProjectileMotion/
Visualizes kinematics of 3-dimensional projectile motion. Helped learning through
controllability of initial location and velocity in all 3 dimensions. Shows the location of the
projectile at different times, including a specifiable final time. Velocity and time can be
increased automatically. Good for a high-schooler just learning motion, although learning this in
3-dimensional space is harder to grasp.
Bouncing ball, http://demonstrations.wolfram.com/StroboscopicPhotographOfABouncingBall/
Visualizes movement of a bouncing ball and projectile motion. Helped learning through
customization of zoom level, time between snapshots, time, and initial x-velocity. Somewhat
confusing parameters with strange effects (higher x-velocity decreases zoom level, etc.), but
otherwise helpful for an entry-level high-school physics student. Would have been better if the
true path of the ball (red line) could be toggled off, as it ruins the purposes of the time interval.
Projectile motion, http://demonstrations.wolfram.com/TrajectoryOfASoccerBall/
Visualizes trajectory of a soccer ball. Helped learning through customization of position of ball,
and height and direction of kick. Shows path of the ball with parameters and also animates the
ball traveling the path. For some reason, ball seems to constantly accelerate whereas it should be
a very short time of a high amount of acceleration followed by a longer period of deceleration.
Other than this issue, very good applet. Useful for someone with intermediate knowledge of
projectile information.
2-D Motion,
http://demonstrations.wolfram.com/MotionInTwoDimensionsWithConstantAcceleration/
Visualizes a ball and the path it takes over time. Initial position, velocity, and acceleration are
customizable in 2 dimensions. The ball can move automatically, tracing its path as it moves over
time. Very simple applet, but very powerful in teaching kinematic motion, whether it’s projectile
motion, or a rocket propelled by a force, etc. Can be used by all physics students studying
kinematics.
Time to Catch a Fly Ball in Baseball,
http://demonstrations.wolfram.com/TimeToCatchAFlyBallInBaseball/
Uses time, max height, and a direction to create a situation in which a baseball is hit. It randomly
generates a hit and determines whether it results in a hit, homerun, or an out. This is really noneducational and on the boring side. Also, too many homeruns and outs compared to real baseball.
Too many parameters (runner speed, random seed) for a concept such as explaining projectile
motion.
Jumping over Row of Parked Cars,
http://demonstrations.wolfram.com/JumpingOverRowOfParkedCars/
Relatively on the dull side, not very educational. Uses initial velocity and distance in the x
direction to determine whether the car makes it based on a fixed initial-y position, ramp angle,
and car width and height. Does serve as an introduction to projectile motion, however, it needs
more controllable variables to fully describe projectile motion.
Throw off a Cliff, http://demonstrations.wolfram.com/ThrowOffACliff/
Uses a customizable angle, initial velocity, and height to determine where an object would hit
along the x axis, and its optimum angle. Useful for simulating anything within the parameters of
the object for intro level high school physics courses using projectile motion. Overall a good
product.
Ballistic Trajectories, http://demonstrations.wolfram.com/BallisticTrajectories/
Uses starting height, starting x position, and initial velocity to measure the range, max height,
and time to impact. Also shows initial velocity vector and the path, showing its curvature due to
gravity. Within the parameters it is a good product for starting out high school physics
introducing projectile motion, but I would have like the parameters to be a bit large to have more
ability of predictions. As it is initial velocity maxes out at 5.0m/s, max starting height of 10.0m,
and max x starting distance of 6.0m.
Shooting A Bullet from a Car, http://demonstrations.wolfram.com/ShootingABulletFromACar/
Visualizes principle of perpendicular motion using a ball shot out of a car moving at constant
velocity. When the ball is shot out vertically, it will always land in the car. Initial velocity of ball
and velocity of car can be controlled to demonstrate this principle. Applet also shows plot of
ball’s position versus time. Introduces physics students to different directions of acceleration, but
very weak in other instances.
Throwing A Baseball from the Outfield to Home Plate,
http://demonstrations.wolfram.com/ThrowingABaseballFromTheOutfieldToHomePlate/
Visualizes projectile motion through finding the speed needs to throw a ball to home plate using
distance to home, the height of the arm, and maximum height of the ball. The latter three
parameters can be changed. Helps through demonstrating that knowing a few of an object’s
kinematic properties can find the unknown ones. Useful for intro level high school physics
students studying projectile motion.
Animated Projectile Motion, http://demonstrations.wolfram.com/AnimatedProjectileMotion/
Visualizes a projectile’s path. Allows customizable parameters of initial velocity, angle (radians),
and height, gravity, and drag coefficient. The ball can also be animated, so that it traces the path
that it takes with respect to time. A very powerful applet that can solve many problems, even
those involving drag. Essential for all physics students in that it can be used as an ideal projectile
applet when drag is set to 0, or even advanced students.
Projectile Motion, http://demonstrations.wolfram.com/ProjectileMotion/
Visualizes a projectile’s path under the gravity of the Sun and planets. Initial height, angle, and
velocity are not only controllable, but given in MKS units. The ball’s initial velocity vector and
path are also shown, as is the maximum height of the ball. The selection of gravity is limited to
those given by the planets, although I am glad that I at least have a choice in this applet. Suitable
for all beginning physics students.