How Far Can A Potato Go?

Year 12 Physics students took experimental data to better understand the principles of projectile motion by launching potatoes and tracking their motion. Each group selected a different mission to solve and then presented their findings to their class in the following lesson. The missions were:

Mission 1

Using only a stop clock and a tape measure, take measurements from a launch to calculate:

• The angle of launch
• The muzzle velocity of the potato
• The maximum height reached

Mission 2 – Challenge!

Using only a tape measure and a protractor app, take measurements from a launch to calculate:

• The time of flight
• The muzzle velocity of the potato
• The maximum height reached

For Mission 2, the winning sub-sonic spud travelled 109m when launched at an angle of 45 degrees. Solving Mission 2 is a real challenge – do you know which simultaneous equations are required to find the correct answers?!