Projectile Motion Experiment

Projectile Motion Experiment:

In this lab you will be given two projectile motion cases. Your job is to use kinematics equations to calculate your values.

1.  Consider the first case: A projectile is fired with a horizontal velocity Vo from the top of a lab table. The ball hits the floor at a maximum horizontal distance X.
Procedure:

a.  Swing the catcher up on the ramp, out of the way.

b.  Aim the gun out toward a clear and safe area of the room.

c.  Measure the vertical drop of the ball. This will be from the bottom of the ball on the gun to the floor. Label this a Y0

d.  Fire the projectile and note approximately where it lands.

e.  Place a piece of paper down on the landing spot, and then tape the carbon paper carbon side down on top of the paper. This way, when the ball lands on the spot it will make a mark signifying the horizontal range. Use the apple box as a backstop.

f.  Measure the horizontal distance X

g.  Take five readings of the time of fly.

h.  Calculate the average of the five time readings

i.  Find the initial velocity magnitude of the projectile using the above values. Use the value of t from part d for this.

j.  Using the measured horizontal distance (X) and height (Y0) only, find the initial velocity magnitude of the projectile. Do not use the time values for this calculation.

k.  Find the percent difference between the velocities values in part e and f.

2.  Now fire your projectile at an angle θ by inserting a wooden board underneath the gun. Assume that the magnitude of the initial velocity of the projectile is equal to the average value of the two velocities obtained in part 1.
Procedure:

a.  Calculate the value of θ using trigonometry.

b.  Repeat steps a through f from part 1.

c.  Notice that for this part you are not going to take any time readings.

d.  Use this information to determine the magnitude and direction of the velocity of the projectile when it hits the ground.


Projectile Motion Report

Break your report in three parts and include the following in each: Start each part in a new page.

Part I: Horizontal initial velocity

1.  Data section:

  1. Use tables. Follow the guidelines from the lab format handout.

2.  Calculations:

  1. Show all the calculations necessary to obtain the answers.
  2. Use correct units.

3.  Results:

  1. List all the results from the experiment.
  2. Label everything clearly so that I am able to tell what your answer is and represents.

4.  Percent Error:

  1. Any percent errors that you are asked to calculated must be included here.
  2. Include an error analysis if your percent error is too high.
  3. Include ideas on how to improve the experiment.

Part II: Projectile shot with initial angle

1.  Data section:

  1. Use tables and type everything. Follow the guidelines from the lab format handout.

2.  Calculations:

  1. Show all the calculations necessary to obtain the answers.
  2. Use correct units.

3.  Results:

  1. List all the results from the experiment.
  2. Label everything clearly so that I am able to tell what your answer is and represents.

4.  Percent Error:

  1. Any percent errors that you are asked to calculated must be included here.
  2. Include an error analysis if your percent error is too high.
  3. Include ideas on how to improve the experiment.

Part III:

1.  Conclusion:

  1. Discuss any differences and similarities between the two projectiles cases performed during the experiment.
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