A computational and pedagogical framework for projectile motion using Python visualizations

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Sánchez, Leonardi Hernández, Eguibar, Francisco Soto, Prieto, Irán Ramos, Cessa, Héctor Manuel Moya
Format: Preprint
Published: 2026
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author Sánchez, Leonardi Hernández
Eguibar, Francisco Soto
Prieto, Irán Ramos
Cessa, Héctor Manuel Moya
author_facet Sánchez, Leonardi Hernández
Eguibar, Francisco Soto
Prieto, Irán Ramos
Cessa, Héctor Manuel Moya
contents Projectile motion is one of the most fundamental problems in introductory physics, offering a clear context to connect algebraic reasoning with conceptual understanding. This work presents a computational and pedagogical framework that combines the analytical formulation of projectile motion with interactive visualizations developed in Python. Using reproducible simulations, the dependence of the maximum height and horizontal range on the launch parameters $(v_0,θ)$ is examined through trajectory plots, parameter-space maps, and iso-curves. These visual representations reveal non-trivial combinations of initial conditions that yield equivalent outcomes, reinforcing physical intuition and providing an accessible open-source tool for teaching and learning classical mechanics.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2601_05769
institution arXiv
publishDate 2026
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle A computational and pedagogical framework for projectile motion using Python visualizations
Sánchez, Leonardi Hernández
Eguibar, Francisco Soto
Prieto, Irán Ramos
Cessa, Héctor Manuel Moya
Physics Education
Optics
Projectile motion is one of the most fundamental problems in introductory physics, offering a clear context to connect algebraic reasoning with conceptual understanding. This work presents a computational and pedagogical framework that combines the analytical formulation of projectile motion with interactive visualizations developed in Python. Using reproducible simulations, the dependence of the maximum height and horizontal range on the launch parameters $(v_0,θ)$ is examined through trajectory plots, parameter-space maps, and iso-curves. These visual representations reveal non-trivial combinations of initial conditions that yield equivalent outcomes, reinforcing physical intuition and providing an accessible open-source tool for teaching and learning classical mechanics.
title A computational and pedagogical framework for projectile motion using Python visualizations
topic Physics Education
Optics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2601.05769