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Vectors and Projectiles - Lesson Plans

The lesson plans below include links to the specific resources on our website.

Teacher Guides for labs can be found here.

NOTE: All CalcPad problem sets are customized problem sets created specifically for this course. The links direct users to the Guest version. Task Tracker users should use the link on the Task Tracker page to the trackable CalcPad version.


Day 1 of Vectors and Projectiles

Lesson Plan
  1. Introduction to Unit
    Review vectors; discuss scaled diagrams; how do you describe direction when it is not E, W, N, or S? Discuss CCW convention.
  2. Guided: Vector Representation and Addition Think Sheet (page 1 only)
  3. Lab 1: Map Lab
    Post-lab: discuss head-to-tail vector addition; resultant meaning
  4. If time allows, start page 2 of Vector Representation and Addition Think Sheet
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Vectors - Motion and Forces in 2D: Lesson 1, Parts a, b, and c
  2. Concept Builder: Vector Direction (first and second activities only)





Day 2 of Vectors and Projectiles

Lesson Plan
  1. Review vector addition
    Head-to-tail vector addition diagrams; examples; Pythagorean theorem for right-angle vectors
  2. Pair Practice: Complete pp. 2-3 of Vector Representation and Addition Think Sheet
  3. Do 1-2 Scaled Vector Addition Diagrams
    Use Vector Addition: Graphical Method Think Sheet (or this Physics Help page)
  4. Lab 2: As the Crow Flies
    Get all measurements; proceed with analysis if time allows
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Concept Builder: Head-to-Tail Vector Addition
  2. Minds On Physics: Mission VP2 on Vector Addition





Day 3 of Vectors and Projectiles

Lesson Plan
  1. Discuss Adding Right Angle Vectors
    Provide some guided examples of adding right angle vectors and using SOH CAH TOA and Pythagorean theorem to determine magnitude and direction
  2. Introduce concept of a vector component and discuss vector resolution using SOH CAH TOA; use Vector Components, Vector Resolution and Vector Addition Think Sheet
  3. Complete Lab 2 Calculations
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Vectors - Motion and Forces in 2D: Lesson 1, Parts d and e
  2. CalcPad: Vectors and Projectiles 1 on Adding Right Angle Vectors
 


Day 4 of Vectors and Projectiles

Lesson Plan
  1. Discuss component addition; use Vector Addition by Components Think Sheet
  2. Lab 3: Where Am I?
  3. Minds On Physics: Mission VP5 on Vector Components
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Vectors - Motion and Forces in 2D: Lesson 1, Part f
  2. Concept Builder: Vector Addition (Wizard Level only)





Day 5 of Vectors and Projectiles

Lesson Plan
  1. More Practice with component addition
    Guided practice using Component Addtion - More Practice Think Sheet
  2. Work Time:
    CalcPad: Vectors and Projectiles 2 on Component Addition
    Physics Interactives: Name That Vector
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. CalcPad: Vectors and Projectiles 2 on Component Addition
  2. Physics Interactives: Name That Vector





Day 6 of Vectors and Projectiles

Lesson Plan
  1. Physics Interactives: Vector Walk in Two D (do four 3-stage and two 4-stage motions)
  2. Physics Interactives: Riverboat Simulator with Activity Sheet and Concept Checker
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Vectors - Motion and Forces in 2D: Lesson 1, Parts g and h
  2. CalcPad: Vectors and Projectiles 3 on Component Addition
 


Day 7 of Vectors and Projectiles

Lesson Plan
  1. Discuss Riverboat problems; independence of perpendicular components of motion
  2. Pair Practice: Relative Velocity and Riverboat Problems Think Sheet
  3. Physics Interactives: Projectile Simulator (using Student Activity #2)
    Do and process; then follow it up with the Concept Checker
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Vectors - Motion and Forces in 2D: Lesson 2, Parts a, b, c, and d
  2. CalcPad: Vectors and Projectiles 4 on Riverboat Problems





Day 8 of Vectors and Projectiles

Lesson Plan
  1. Discuss projectile motion concepts; trajectory diagrams, simple vx and vy calculations; use selected Qs from #1-8 of Projectile Motion Think Sheet
  2. Minds On Physics, Mission VP7 on The Nature of a Projectile
  3. Pratice problems for Horizontally-Launched Projectiles; use #12-14 of Projectile Motion Think Sheet
  4. Start CalcPad: Vectors and Projectiles 5 on Horizontally-Launched Projectiles
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Vectors - Motion and Forces in 2D: Lesson 2, Part f
  2. CalcPad: Vectors and Projectiles 5 on Horizontally-Launched Projectiles
 



Day 9 of Vectors and Projectiles

Lesson Plan
  1. Lab 4: Launcher Speed Lab
  2. Physics Interactives: Projectile Simulator (using Student Activity #3)
    Do and process; then follow it up with the Concept Checker
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Minds On Physics, Mission VP8 on The Acceleration and Velocity of a Projectile
 



Day 10 of Vectors and Projectiles

Lesson Plan
  1. Concept Development: use #9-11 and #15-17 of Projectile Motion Think Sheet
  2. Problem-solving for angle-launched projectiles: Angle-Launched Projectiles Think Sheet (#1-3 + selected others)
  3. Minds On Physics, Mission VP9 on Velocity Components of a Projectile
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Vectors - Motion and Forces in 2D: Lesson 2, Part g
  2. CalcPad: Vectors and Projectiles 6 on Angle-Launched Projectiles
 




Day 11 of Vectors and Projectiles

Lesson Plan
  1. Problem-solving: Angle-Launched Projectiles Think Sheet (selected problems)
  2. Lab 5: Maximum Range
  3. Science Reasoning Center: Projectile Range activity (selected levels)
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. CalcPad: Vectors and Projectiles 7 on Assorted Projectile Problems
  2. If not done: complete Projectile Range activity
 




Day 12 of Vectors and Projectiles

Lesson Plan
  1. Problem-solving (pick some zingers; model the thinking)
  2. Lab 6: Hit the Target
  3. In the time that allows, work on homework
    Concept Builder: Which One Doesn't Belong? (Wizard Level only)
    CalcPad: Vectors and Projectiles 8 on Assorted Projectile Problems
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. CalcPad: Vectors and Projectiles 8 on Assorted Projectile Problems
  2. Concept Builder: Which One Doesn't Belong? (Wizard Level only)
 


Day 13 of Vectors and Projectiles

Lesson Plan
Review day: this is a chance for students to process ideas, work independently or together, and prepare for exam. Suggested online review activities include:
  1. Concept Builder: Component Addition
  2. Concept Builder: Trajectory - Horizontally-Launched Projectiles
  3. Concept Builder: Trajectory - Angle Launched Projectiles
  4. Minds On Physics: Mission VP4 on Adding Right Angle Vectors
  5. Minds On Physics: Mission VP6 on Relative Velocity and Riverboats
  6. Physics Interactives: Hit the Target
  7. Physics Interactives: Turd the Target 1 (HLPs)
  8. Physics Interactives: Turd the Target 2 (ALPs)
  9. The Review Session: Vectors and Projectiles
 
NOTE: The above assignments are intended as optional review assignments and not required assignments.
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Prepare for Test
  2. Complete all unfinished work