Young and Geller
There are two independent motions to consider
The motion in the x-direction and the motion in the y-direction.
Question #1
Suppose that you are running at a constant velocity and you wish to throw a ball such that you will catch it as it comes back down. If air resistance is insignificant, in what direction should you throw the ball relative to you?
a. straight up.
b. at an angle to the ground that depends on your running speed.
c. in the forward direction.
Question #2
An airplane flying at a constant horizontal velocity drops a package of supplies to a scientific mission in the Antarctic. If air resistance is insignificant, the path of this package, as observed by a person in the plane, is a
a. parabola.
b. straight line downward.
c. straight line pointing ahead of the plane.
d. straight line pointing behind the plane.
Newton's Revelations
Bill Bryson's, A Short History of Nearly Everything
When we were kids back in Nebraska, my brother Jim was able to distract me by throwing one snowball really high and then throwing another really low. Both hit me! Why?
Click on the problem to the left.
Let the movie download completely.
Then, click on the movie each time you want to move forward.
Why am I studying Physics?
Your ability to improve your critical thinking skills is contingent upon you practicing to acquire a disciplined approach to the process of problem solving.
The problem to the left is built piece by piece for you to examine very closely.
How far?
Rank the launch angles for the five paths
with respect to time of flight, from the
shortest time of flight to the longest.
I, II
Animated Gif, (a 10 minute animation)
Static Document
