Interactive Projectile Motion and Gravity Exploration in Virtual Reality: Enhancing Physics Education with Immersive Learning Experiences

Abstract

In this study, we introduce an innovative virtual reality (VR) platform designed to enhance the teaching and learning of projectile motion and gravity concepts. Traditional textbooks and classroom environments often limit students to two-dimensional understanding of these topics. Our VR system addresses this gap by offering an immersive, hands-on learning experience. By allowing users to interact with virtual objects and observe realistic trajectories, the platform is designed to support understanding of physics principles through interactive visualization and embodied exploration. The system comprises three progressive levels of projectile motion and two levels of gravity exploration, each tailored to enhance engagement and comprehension. Additionally, quizzes integrated at various levels serve as interactive assessment tools, reinforcing knowledge and active participation. Preliminary findings from a single-group study involving twenty students indicate promising perceptual reception of VR-based teaching platforms, suggesting they can make physics topics feel more accessible and easier to engage with compared to traditional textbooks. This research points to the potential of VR technology to meaningfully complement physics education.