Trajectory Study Apparatus, Two Dimensional

Explore the physics of projectile motion, trajectory path, velocity, acceleration, friction and more.

This experiment is used to teach students about projectile motion by plotting the trajectory path of a steel ball. The steel ball rolls down a launch ramp and collides with a tracking plate that allows the student to mark the position of the ball. This procedure is repeated numerous times, each time moving the tracking plate until the full trajectory of ball is plotted. Students then get a visualization of two dimensional motion as it is mapped out on the grid paper. Students can clearly see not only the parabolic shape that emerges but also see that the ball moves with a constant velocity horizontally while accelerating in the vertical direction.

This easy to assemble kit includes slotted wooden board with wood block supports, launch ramp, target plate, 10 sheets of recording and carbon paper, 10 sheets graphing paper, one steel ball and instructional experiment guide.

Wooden board measures 15×7", and sits on 6" wide blocks.