Learning Outcomes for Vectors and Projectiles
Lesson Plans || Learning Outcomes and Activities || Teacher Notes || Labs
The list below displays sample learning objectives for the unit on Vectors and Projectiles. The various activities from the Lesson Plans have been organized by objective. This format of organizing The Physics Classroom's activities may be more useful to some teachers than the Lesson Plan format. It is worth noting that the activities identified below only include those activities included on the Lesson Plans and in the Pre-Built Task Tracker courses. Additional activities are referenced on the Teacher Notes page.
1. Vector Direction
Use a protractor to measure the angle a vector makes relative to the N/S and E/W axes and express the direction of that vector using the counter-clockwise from East convention.
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2. Head-to-Tail Vector Addition
Add two or more vectors using the head-to-tail method and a scaled vector addition diagram to determine the magnitude and direction of a vector.
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Labs:
Lab 1: Map Lab
Lab 2: As the Crow Flies
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Physics Interactives with Concept Checkers:
Concept Builders:
Minds On Physics:
3. Adding Right Angle Vectors
Use Pythagorean theorem and SOH CAH TOA to add two or more vectors that are aligned along the N/S/E/W axes.
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Labs:
Lab 2: As the Crow Flies
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CalcPad Problem Sets:
4. Vector Resolution and Vector Components
Use a diagram and sine and cosine functions to determine the magnitude and direction of the N/S and E/W components of a vector.
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5. Analytical Method of Vector Addition
Add two or more non-perpendicular vectors using their components in order to determine the magnitude and direction of the resultant.
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Labs:
Lab 3: Road Trip
Lab 4: Where Am I?
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Physics Interactives with Concept Checkers:
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CalcPad Problem Sets:
6. Independence of Perpendicular Components of Motion
Express the meaning of the phrase "perpendicular components of motion are independent of each other" and use the concept to solve a riverboat problem involving boat and river velocities and distances.
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Minds On Physics:
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7. Characteristics of a Projectile
Explain what a projectile is; draw a free-body diagram for a projectile; use the concept of a projectile to describe the horizontal and vertical components of displacement, velocity, acceleration, and net force.
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Concept Builders:
Minds On Physics:
8. Horizontally-Launched Projectile Problems
Use kinematic equations and projectile concepts to solve horizontally-launched projectile problems.
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9. Angle-Launched Projectile Problems
Use kinematic equations and projectile concepts to solve angle-launched projectile problems in which the projectile's initial and final heights are identical.
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Review Activities
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