Exploration of Projectile Motion and Air Resistance Using a Java Applet

Using a Java applet, this lesson has students perform virtual experiments to study the characteristics of projectile motion (which would otherwise be difficult to perform in a typical classroom). Using the applet, students will observe the effects of air resistance on the idealized motion presented in the standard curriculum, identify the dependent and independent variables in the experiment, obtain and plot data, and analyze their results in order to discover (or reinforce) the relationship between the dependent and independent variables. The activity concludes with discussion of plausible function forms of air resistance, drawing both on the experimental results and on the personal experience of each student. 

Files available to download alongside the exercise include a Teacher's Guide, a Student Version of the lesson plan, a Student Worksheet, and a background information sheet on air resistance.