Explore 2D Projectile Motion

This interactive simulation demonstrates the motion of a projectile launched at various heights and accelerations. Students can adjust initial height and gravitational acceleration to observe how these parameters affect time of flight. The simulator also provides real-time data to compare against theoretical predictions, allowing learners to visually connect algebraic formulas with experimental outcomes.

By experimenting with different conditions, you can see how linear and quadratic relationships emerge, and why the experimental method is so critical. This tool is designed to build intuition for AP Physics 1 FRQs, giving a concrete way to connect equations of motion to actual flight paths.

Enter the simulation for instructions on how to operate the different part of the simulator and analyze your data! Here is a brief overview of UI you should expect: on the top right corner, you will find a dropdown containing different types of simulation constants you can adjust. Under Initial Conditions, you can change the values of gravity, height, and initial velocity. For the purposes of this simulation, the ball must start from rest, so initial velocity will always be 0 m/s. Once you have set your desired initial conditions, click the "Start" button to see the projectile motion in action.