Name: Jose Silva Azevedo Date: July 7th, 2024

SPH3U1 - Unit 1: Golf Range

Directions: Follow the instructions to go through the simulation. Respond to the questions and
prompts in the orange boxes.

Vocabulary: acceleration, air resistance, gravity, hang time, launch angle, projectile motion, trajectory, vector,
velocity

Prior Knowledge Questions (Do these BEFORE using the Gizmo.)

1. You are in a contest with your friends to see who can drive a golf ball the farthest. Should you hit a “line
drive” (low to the ground) or a shot with a very high angle? Explain.

You should hit the ball with a very high angle. Hitting the ball with a very high angle will keep
the ball in the air making it travel farther than a hit on the ball that is low to the ground.

2. Golf drives travel much farther than Major League home runs. Why might this be?

This might be because of the condition of the ball, environment and even the tool used to
swing the ball.

Gizmo Warm-up
Have you ever hit a hole-in-one? You will have a chance to do that in the
Golf Range Gizmo, where you will see how a variety of factors affect the
path of a golf ball. The movement of objects such as a ball through space
is called projectile motion.

1. Press Play ( ). Did the ball go too far, the right distance,
or not far enough?

The ball did not go far enough.

2. Click Reset ( ). Move the vinitial and θ sliders to adjust the velocity and launch angle until you get a
hole-in-one. (With the Gizmo sound on ( ) you will hear “Hole in one!”)

What were the velocity and launch angle values? The velocity was 65 m/s and the launch
angle value was 45 degrees.

3. Can you get holes-in-one using other combinations of vinitial and θ? If so, give an example.

Yes, you can get holes-in-one using other combinations vinitial of and θ. An example is setting
the velocity at 68 m/s and the launch angle value at 30 degrees.

Reproduction for educational use only. Public sharing or posting prohibited. © 2020 ExploreLearning™ All rights reserved
 Activity A: Get the Gizmo ready:
Maximum ● Click Reset and check that Atmosphere: Air is selected.
distance ● Set vinitial to 75 m/s and θ to 45.0 degrees.

Question: What launch angle will produce the longest drive?

1. Form hypothesis:
What launch angle do you think will yield the longest drive? I think 45 degrees will be the launch angle
that will yield the longest drive.

2. Experiment: Turn on the Show grid checkbox. With the velocity set to 75 m/s, experiment with a variety of
launch angles until you find the one that yields the longest driving distance.

A. What launch angle produced the longest drive? As predicted the launch angle that produced
the longest drive was 45 degrees.

B. How far did the ball travel? The ball traveled around 370 meters.

3. Observe: Click Reset and turn on Show paths. Click Clear paths. Take a swing with the optimum launch
angle. The curved path the ball takes through the air is its trajectory.

Look closely at the trajectory. Does it appear symmetrical? No, it does not appear symmetrical

The curve is slightly steeper on the right than on the left as a result of air resistance.

4. Experiment: Click Reset, then select Atmosphere: None. As before, use trial and error until you find the
launch angle that produces the longest drive.

A. What launch angle produced the longest drive? The launch angle that produced the longest
drive is 45 degrees.

B. How far did the ball travel? The ball travelled around 570 meters.

C. Why do you think the ball traveled farther in this I think the ball travelled farther in this
situation? situation because there was no air
resistance present in the swing. As learned
air resistance slows the ball down and
reduces the range a ball can reach, without
this resistance the ball's range didn’t get
affected.

5. Extend your thinking: The Moon has much less gravity than Earth and has an extremely thin atmosphere.
How would these factors affect the trajectory of a golf ball on the Moon?

Reproduction for educational use only. Public sharing or posting prohibited. © 2020 ExploreLearning™ All rights reserved
 These factors would affect the trajectory of a golf ball on the Moon since it has less gravity
and a thin atmosphere it will get the golf ball being in the air longer which will increase the
range the golf ball will travel making it change the trajectory of a golf ball on the Moon
compared to Earth.

Activity B: Get the Gizmo ready:

● Click Clear paths and select Atmosphere: None.
Physics of ● Turn off Show grid and Show paths.
projectile motion ● You will need a scientific calculator for this activity.

Introduction: Velocity is an example of a vector quantity because it describes the speed and direction of an
object. The velocity of an object through space can be shown by two components: a horizontal component (vx)
and a vertical component (vy).

Question: How does the velocity of an object change as it flies through space?

1. Observe: Click Reset. Turn on Show velocity vector and Show velocity components. Set vinitial to 50
m/s and set θ to 45.0 degrees. Click Play. Focus on the blue and red arrows that represent the vertical and
horizontal components of the golf ball’s velocity.

A. As the ball flies through the air, what do you As the ball flies through the air I notice that
notice about the blue (vertical) arrow? the blue arrow changes throughout the
experiment. It starts by pointing up while
taking off and than changes by pointing
down once the ball begins to fall

B. As the ball flies through the air, what do you As the ball flies through the air I notice that
notice about the red (horizontal) arrow? the red arrow stays the same, it points
towards the right throughout the entire
experiment

C. Try other velocities and launch angles. Do these Yes, these results remain the same for both
results hold up? the arrows even if other velocities and
launch angles are used.

2. Calculate: You can use trigonometry to find the initial horizontal and vertical components of the ball’s

components. Set vinitial to 50.0 m/s and θ to 60.0 degrees. ✏️

velocity. Take out your calculator now. Click Reset, and turn off Show velocity vector and Show velocity
Show your work using GRASP.

A. To calculate vx, multiply vinitial by the cosine of the angle: vx = vinitial • cos(θ): 25 m/s

B. To calculate vy, multiply vinitial by the sine of the angle: vy = vinitial • sin(θ): 43.3 m/s

C. Turn on Show velocity components. Were you correct? yes, I was

correct on the
numbers
however i got

Reproduction for educational use only. Public sharing or posting prohibited. © 2020 ExploreLearning™ All rights reserved
 positive for Vy
instead of
negative

Given: Solution:

Initial velocity: 50.0 m/s vx = 50 • cos(60) vy = 50 • sin(60)

= 50 • 1/2 = 50 • 3/2
Projection angle: 60 degrees = 25 m/s = 43.3 m/s
Required: Statement:

vx = ? The Vx is 25 m/s and the Vy is 43.3 m/s.

vy = ?
Analysis:

vx = vinitial • cos(θ)
vy = vinitial • sin(θ):

3. Analyze: An object flying through the air is said to be in free fall. As you observed, the horizontal
component of velocity (vx) does not change as the object moves, but the vertical component (vy) decreases
over time. (Note: Air resistance is not included in this model.)

A. What force causes vy to change as the golf ball The force of gravity causes Vy to change as
travels? the golf ball travels. It brings the ball down
while it is in the air.

B. Why doesn’t vx change as the object travels? Vx doesn’t change as the object travels
(Hint: Are there any horizontal forces acting on because gravity doesn’t affect the horizontal
the ball?) component of velocity. Since there is no air
resistance present in this experiment there
aren’t any horizontal forces acting on the
ball explaining why Vx doesn’t change as
the ball moves.

4. Set up Gizmo: Acceleration is a change in velocity. As the ball moves through its trajectory, it undergoes a
downward acceleration due to the force of gravity. To calculate the acceleration of a falling object, divide
the velocity change by the time interval.

a = (vcurrent – vinitial) / t
Set vinitial to 75.0 m/s and θ to 60.0 degrees. Record the initial vertical velocity of the golf ball in the first row of
the table below. Include all units.
Reproduction for educational use only. Public sharing or posting prohibited. © 2020 ExploreLearning™ All rights reserved
 Time (s) vy (m/s)
0.00 s 64.95 m/s
3.60 s 29.67 m/s

5. Gather data: Click Play, and then click Pause ( ) at some point before the ball reaches its peak height.
Record the time and vy in the table.

6. Calculate: Compute the velocity difference by subtracting the initial velocity from the current velocity (your

of acceleration are meters per second per second, or m/s2.) ✏️

answer should be a negative number). Then divide this number by the time to find the acceleration. (Units
Show your work using GRASP.

Velocity
difference:
-35.28 Time: 3.60 s Acceleration: -9.8 m/s2
m/s

Given: Solution:

Initial velocity: 64.95 m/s a = (29.67-64.95) / 3.60

Current velocity: 29.67 m/s = -35.28 / 3.60
Time: 3.60 s = -9.8 m/s2
Required: Statement:

acceleration = ? The acceleration is -9.8 m/s2

Analysis:

a = (vcurrent – vinitial) / t

7. Compare: Turn on Advanced features and observe the value of g, a measure of gravitational acceleration.
Gravitational acceleration is the negative of g: a = – g.

Is the value of g equal to the negative of the acceleration you measured? Yes, the value of g is equal
to the negative of the
acceleration I measured.

8. Experiment: Click Reset. Try launching the ball with different values of g. How does the value of g affect
the flight of the ball?

The value of g affects the flight of the ball since the lower the value of g the longer the ball will
be in the air and the higher it will take off, the higher the value of g the quicker the ball will go
on the floor and the lower it will take off.

Reproduction for educational use only. Public sharing or posting prohibited. © 2020 ExploreLearning™ All rights reserved
9. Extend your thinking: One of the problems aeronautical engineers face is building rockets that generate
enough thrust to escape Earth’s gravitational field. How would this problem be affected if the rocket was
launched from the Moon? From a massive planet such as Jupiter?

This would not be a problem if the rocket was launched from the moon since the moon has
lower gravity than earth the engineers won’t have a problem building rockets that generate
enough thrust to escape the moon. However, in a planet such as jupiter this would be a
problem since the gravitational field in jupiter is almost three times more than the one on
Earth making it need 3 times the thrust to escape from Jupiter.

Get the Gizmo ready:

Activity C:
● Set vinitial to 75 m/s, θ to 50.0 degrees, and g to
Hang time 9.8 m/s2. (Be sure Advanced features is on.)
● Check that Atmosphere: None is selected.

Question: How can you calculate the distance a golf ball travels?

1. Think about it: Suppose you know a golf ball’s horizontal velocity (vx) and the time it had traveled through
the air (t). How could you calculate how far the ball traveled?

You can calculate how far the ball traveled by multiplying the horizontal velocity by the time
the ball traveled through the air.

2. Observe:

What is the initial value of vy? 57.45 m/s

3. Calculate: The vertical velocity of a projectile is found with the equation: vy = vy(initial) – gt.
work using GRASP.
✏️Show your
A. What will be the value of vy when the ball is at the top of its trajectory? The value of vy
when the ball is
at the top of its
trajectory is 0
m/s

B. Using the equation above, solve for t when vy = 0.0 m/s, vy(initial) = 57.45 m/s, t = 5.9 seconds
and g = 9.81 m/s2

C. Now use the same method to determine how long it will take the ball to fall It will take the
from its maximum height to the ground: ball to fall from it
maximum height
to the ground 5.9
seconds

D. Based on your answers to B and C, how long will the ball spend in the air? The ball will
spend in the air
about 11.8
seconds

Reproduction for educational use only. Public sharing or posting prohibited. © 2020 ExploreLearning™ All rights reserved
Given: Solution: Ball fall from maximum height:

vy = 0.0 m/s, 0 = 57.45 m/s - (9.81) (t) -57.45 m/s= 0 - (9.81)(t)

vy(initial) = 57.45 m/s, -57.45 m/s = -9.81(t) -57.45 m/s = -9.81(t)
g = 9.81 m/s2 -57.45 / -9.81 = t -57.45 / -9.81 = t
5.9= t 5.9 = t

5.9 + 5.9 = 11. 8

Required: Statement:

time=? The ball will spend about 11.8 seconds in the air.

Analysis:

vy = vy(initial) – gt.

This is the hang time of the ball.

4. Check: Now press Play and observe the total time the ball spends in the air.

Were your calculations correct? My calculations were 0.08 values off.

5. Evaluate: Click Reset. If the ball has a horizontal velocity (vx) and a hang time (t), you can find the
horizontal distance the ball travels using d = vx • t (distance = velocity × time).

A. What is the horizontal velocity of the golf ball? 48.21 m/s

B. What is the hang time of the ball? 11.72 sec

C. How far will the ball travel before it hits the ground? The ball will travel 565 meters

D. Turn on Show grid and click Play. About how far did the The ball traveled about 565 meters.
ball travel?

vy, the hang time of the ball, and the horizontal distance the ball will travel.
GRASP.
Show your work using ✏️
6. Calculate: Click Reset. Set vinitial to 50 m/s and θ to 40 degrees. Use what you have learned to calculate vx,

38.32 32.15 m/s Hang 6.56 s Distan 251.4

time ce
m/s Meters
Given: Solution:

vinitial : 50 m/s vx = 50 • cos(40) 0 = 32.15 – (9.8)(t)

θ = 40 degrees = 38.32 m/s -32.15 = -9.8(t)
vy = 50 • sin(40) -32.15/-9.8 = t
𝑅𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑑: = 32.15 m/s 3.28 = t
Reproduction for educational use only. Public sharing or posting prohibited. © 2020 ExploreLearning™ All rights reserved
 3.28 s + 3.28 s = 6.56 s
Vx = ? d = 38.32 • 6.56
Vy = ? = 251.4 meters
Hang time = ?
Distance = ? 𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡:

𝐴𝑛𝑎𝑙𝑦𝑠𝑖𝑠: The Vx is 38.32 m/s , Vy is 32.15 m/s, the hang time was
6.56 seconds and the distance traveled was 251.4 meters.
vx = vinitial • cos(θ)
vy = vinitial • sin(θ):
vy = vy(initial) – gt.
d = vx • t

7. Test: Check your answers using the Gizmo.

Were your calculations correct? Yes, my calculations were correct

8. Apply: Complete the following table, first calculating the answers and then verifying them with the Gizmo.
Include all units.

Distance
vinitial θ vx (m/s) vy(initial) (m/s) Hang time (s)
(m)
60 m/s 30° 51.96 m/s 30.0 m/s 6.12 sec 318 meters
30 m/s 45° 21.21 m/s 21.21 m/s 4.33 sec 92 meters
80 m/s 60° 40.0 m/s 69.28 m/s 14.14 sec 565 meters
50 m/s 75° 12.94 m/s 48.30 m/s 9.85 sec 127.5 meters

The End 😊
Download a copy of your completed Lab as a .pdf and submit it to the
Unit 1 Lab Dropbox in D2L

*Remember to complete the 5 Assessment Questions found below the

simulations on the Gizmo page*

Reproduction for educational use only. Public sharing or posting prohibited. © 2020 ExploreLearning™ All rights reserved