Shot Put Physics

Students will predict how launching point height affects the distance thrown.

Students will predict which is the optimum launch angle.

Students will predict the optimum speed for launching a projectile.

This is most appropriate for a basic 9th grade physics course. The math is simplified and the angles are taken out of the work. This is a good opener activity and can be done to introduce more advanced topics.

Students will gain a better understanding of Projectile Motion and Free Fall. They will determine the acceleration due to gravity. The lesson will take one class period (ours are 70 min) with time to answer questions and help students included. The materials are a apparatus for measuring acceleration, labels, pins, meter stick, calculator, string, fishing weights, and post-it-notes.

There is some prep time involved in obtaining your data for the students to work with. If you complete it ahead of time using some Vernier, then students can work the data without rewriting everything. It works well if the math is downplayed and students are given clear directions in their calculations. There are other classes that can make them work hard on the math.

Assessments is easily completed though viewing students responses to the questions. It is also completed through viewing the graphs that students create and asking them verbal questions about the motion at different points. Such as: Show two points where the speed is the same. Where it the speed zero, etc.