Interactive Plotting: Physics of a Golf Ball in Air w/ Drag Force

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on creating an interactive simulation of a golf ball's trajectory through the air, incorporating drag force, using Mathematica. The user seeks to display multiple projectile paths simultaneously while adjusting parameters like initial angle and velocity. The conversation highlights the limitations of existing documentation for this specific functionality in Mathematica, contrasting it with the flexibility offered by programming environments like VPython.

PREREQUISITES
  • Familiarity with Mathematica for interactive plotting
  • Understanding of projectile motion and drag force physics
  • Basic programming skills for custom implementations
  • Knowledge of user interface design for interactive simulations
NEXT STEPS
  • Explore Mathematica's plotting functions for multiple datasets
  • Research how to implement interactive sliders in Mathematica
  • Learn about the physics of drag force in projectile motion
  • Investigate VPython for alternative interactive simulations
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Students in modeling courses, educators teaching physics concepts, and developers creating interactive simulations in Mathematica.

mateomy
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I'm doing a small project for a modelling course that is showing the physics of a golf ball going through the air, drag force included. Let's say I have an interactive slider that allows me to manipulate the initial angle and velocity (a pretty common interaction) of the ball before I hit a trigger that shows its path as a projectile through the air. Is there a way to keep the initial plot on the screen while I choose another set of parameters for the program to run. Say, I choose 45 degrees initially and then I want to show it against a 55 degree plot, is that possible? I can't find any documentation online.

Thanks.
 
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Well, you typically can do anything if you program it yourself, but that takes a bit of a learning curve. Have you heard of VPython?
 
Yeah, but I forgot to mention that this is only using Mathematica. I know that makes a huge difference.
 

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