Vectors and Projectiles Module

The Vectors and Projectiles module consists of 10 missions (assignments) that address such topics as vector direction, vector addition, vector resolution, and the horizontal and vertical components of displacement, velocity, acceleration and force for a projectile's motion.  The 10 missions and the corresponding objectives are listed below.  Tap a mission's name to begin.

 

Quick Links to Missions:

 

Mission Objectives:

Mission VP1: Vector Direction

• The student should be able to identify the direction of a vector (using the Cartesian coordinate system) if given a graphical representation of a vector.
• The student should be able to identify the direction of a vector (using the Cartesian coordinate system) if given a graphical representation of the vector and surrounding (and sometimes distracting) vectors.

  

 

Mission VP2: Vector Addition Diagrams

• The student should be able to understand the basic method of head-to-tail addition and use the method to determine the resultant of two or more vectors.
• The student should be able to utilize an understanding of the head-to-tail method of vector addition in order to analyze and interpret a vector addition diagram.

 
 

Mission VP3: Vector Addition Applications

• The student should be able to apply a sense of vector addition to answer basic questions about the process and the result of the process.
• The student should be able to utilize vector addition diagrams to determine the resultant of three or more vectors.

 
 

Mission VP4: Adding Right Angle Vectors

• The student should be able to use the Pythagorean theorem to add two or more vectors in order to determine the magnitude of the resultant.
• The student should be able to trigonometric principles to add two or more vectors in order to determine the direction of the resultant.

 
 

Mission VP5: Vector Components

• The student should be able to define vector component and describe their meaning and importance.
• The student should be able to use graphical and trigonometric methods to determine the components of a given vector.

 
 

Mission VP6: Relative Velocity and River Boats

• The student should be able to recognize the interdependence of the various kinematic and vector quantities associated with the motion of a river boat across a river in the presence of a current.
• The student should be able to calculate the values of the various kinematic quantities (time, distance, and velocity) for the motion of a river boat across a river in the presence of a current.

 
 

Mission VP7: The Nature of a Projectile

• The student should be able to define projectile motion and relate the definition to very basic kinematic and dynamic principles.
• The student should be able to identify the direction and magnitude of the only force present on a projectile.

 
 

Mission VP8: The Acceleration and Velocity of a Projectile

• The student should be able to extend the definition of a projectile in order to describe a projectile's acceleration.
• The student should be able to extend the definition of a projectile in order to describe the nature of the projectile's horizontal and vertical velocity components.

 
 

Mission VP9: Velocity Components for a Projectile

• The student should be able to interpret a velocity vector diagram for a projectile in order to predict the relative magnitude of the horizontal and vertical velocity components at various times during the trajectory.
• The student should be able to determine the magnitudes of the horizontal and vertical velocity components of a projectile.

 
 

Mission VP10: Displacement and Time

• The student should be able to identify and describe the variables which effect the time of flight of a projectile.
• The student should be able to identify and describe the variables which effect the horizontal and vertical displacement of a projectile.

 
 

 

 

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