This could provide motivation for an advanced curve fitting project using the method of least squares. The student should be able to complete the exercise in a one hour period, assuming that they have technology available to aid them in fitting an equation. The only stumbling block might be the decision as to what type of equation to use as the fit for the data representing lift. The student will be more aware of not only affects of lift on projectile motion but also of other applications that involve variable interactions commonly ignored in calculus problems. The student will gain more familiarity with data and curve fitting.
Extensions Have students come up with a method for deciding whose curve offers the best fit.
The data supplied for the effects of lift experiment were taken from a graph comparing the launch angle of a golf ball and the range, or horizontal distance. The range without lift. The data is given in degrees, so we first convert all functions to radians. This occurs when the vertical component of velocity is zero. Here's a graph of the range vs. the launch angle for the classical case of no lift.