Using a Lebron James free throw video clip to demonstrate projectile motion and energy conservation

Abstract

This article considers a further experimental demonstration of the equations of projectile motion employing the popular video-based motion modeling tool called Tracker. Using a downloaded video—of a free throw attempt by the NBA star Lebron James—from YouTube.com, the primary equations of projectile motion, together with a number of projectile motion-based determination of the gravitational acceleration, are demonstrated. Furthermore, the equally fascinating conservation of mechanical energy is experimentally investigated in relative detail. In all cases—projectile motion, kinetic energy, gravitational potential energy, and energy conservation satisfactory agreements between theory and experimental data were observed. A number of energy-based determination of the gravitational acceleration are also presented. The use of the Lebron James video in this experimental investigation of a dynamical system is seen as exciting and fun among students, hence the apparent ease with which the learning process can be facilitated.