Abstract
Most elementary works on physics contain something about the motion of projectiles which, it is commonly assumed, are acted on only by gravity. Yet even on balls used in various games the aerodynamic forces are rarely completely negligible (Daish 1972, especially chs 6 and 12). As for bullets and artillery projectiles, the force of air resistance on them is commonly many times that of gravity (Smith 1962). What purpose, then, is supposed to be served by presenting students with such unphysical notions and asking them to spend time working out conundrums about such matters? Warren (1965) has commented on the lack of realism in many parts of school physics, but does not seem to have said much about this example. The author's purpose is to find simple ways of taking into account the air resistance on projectiles, at least approximately.
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