Module Introduction

Module 2—Motion in Two Dimensions

Two photographs are shown. On the left, a girl with a baseball glove prepares to throw a pitch to her teammate. On the right, a male baseball player throws a ball.

Module Introduction

At what angle should you throw a ball to get the maximum distance? What if you want the ball to arrive in the shortest time, such as trying to throw a person out at the plate?

Analyzing situations such as the path of a ball that is thrown where motion occurs in two dimensions is the central theme of this module. You will use the kinematic formulas and the components of vectors you have learned in Module 1 and expand your ability to add vectors and their components graphically. You will develop an ability to solve problems where an object is accelerating in one direction and has constant velocity in another direction. Your confidence in your ability to solve physics questions will increase as you progress through the labs and lessons. The skills you master in Module 2 will be used again and again in your future physics studies.