About the Motion Lab 3D model (Physics)

Launch projectiles at any angle and speed, then drop objects on Earth, the Moon and Jupiter to feel how gravity changes motion.

A projectile follows a parabola because horizontal speed stays constant while gravity pulls it down. Range is greatest near 45° and shrinks to zero at 90°. Fall time depends only on gravity and height, not mass: t = √(2h/g). On the Moon (g = 1.6 m/s²) objects fall about 2.5 times slower than on Earth (g = 9.8 m/s²), while on Jupiter (g = 24.8 m/s²) they fall more than twice as fast.

What students learn from this physics model

• Predict the range of a projectile before launching it
• See how launch angle changes range and maximum height
• Measure fall time under different gravities
• Connect the equations of motion to what you see

Labelled parts explained

What is the Launcher in Motion Lab?

Set the angle and speed, predict the range, then launch to test your prediction.

What is the Trajectory in Motion Lab?

Horizontal speed stays constant while gravity bends the path into a parabola.

What is the Launch angle in Motion Lab?

On flat ground 45° gives the maximum range. Angles that add to 90° (like 30° and 60°) give the same range.

What is the Gravity in Motion Lab?

On Earth g ≈ 9.8 m/s². On the Moon it is 1.6 m/s² and on Jupiter about 24.8 m/s², so fall times change dramatically.

What is the Free fall in Motion Lab?

Without air resistance every object falls at the same rate: time = √(2h/g), no matter how heavy it is.

Explore more free interactive science models in the LearnExa 3D Lab, or book a verified tutor to go deeper on physics.