A look at Projectile Motion Purpose In this experiment there are three clear objectives.

First we want to identify the initial velocity of a launched ball. Second, we want to find the angle at which the launch produces the greatest range. Third, we want to predict and verify the range that the ball will travel when launched from a certain angle. Theory An object projected into the air has velocity components in two directions (x and y components on a standard Cartesian coordinate system). It has a constant velocity on the x-axis and a velocity on the y-axis caused by acceleration due to gravity. In this experiment, as stated previously, we will be identifying the initial velocity, as well as looking at the effects of the change in angle versus the change in distance. We will not, however be using any sort of time measuring device, so we will need to rearrange one of our kinematic equations so that we dont use time. We know that y= 2gty. Since it takes the same amount of time for the object to go in the y direction as it does the x direction before it hits the floor, we can substitute: y= 2g(x/Vx) for y= 2gty. By setting our Y value at a specific height and then measuring our x value with a meter stick, we will be left with only one unknown in our equation: velocity on the x-axis. This will give us our muzzle velocity, which will remain a constant, since the launcher launches at the same speed regardless of the angle it launches at. The last lacking component is one we will need in order to predict the time span the ball is in the air after being launched at an angle before hitting the ground. For this we will use some trigonometry along with the kinematic equation: y= y + V yt +2gt. We will break down our launch into its x and y

components. We know that V = Vx +Vy. Therefore, using basic trigonometry we know that Vx = Vsin and Vy = Vcos. For our experiment, we only need the initial velocity on the y axis to solve for time, and we will already have our initial muzzle velocity for our trigonometric equations from our launch data. Lastly, once we are able to find time, we will be able to plug time into the equation x = Vxt in order to predict the range.

vy vx

Procedure Items used: Carbon and white paper Spring-loaded projectile launcher with a Teflon ball Meter stick Masking tape To begin, we clamped the launcher onto a bar-stool in an open hallway. First we measured the height of the launcher and measured out the distance in front of the launcher with a meter stick. Then we did four sets of launches at the medium setting on the launcher. The launch sets were done at 5 increments from 30 - 50 . We took the average of each set for accuracy. Then we recorded the average of each set of launches. Lastly, we taped the carbon paper to the floor with the dark side against a piece of white paper. We did five launches with the barrel of the muzzle parallel to the ground, and averaged their distances. Next we plugged this value into the equation y= 2g(x/Vx) . This gave us the muzzle velocity, which represents V in all of our equations. The last thing we did with the launcher was do a series of 5 launches at 45 to compare with our predicted value.

Data Angle of Projection Range of Motion

30 35 40 45 50

2.67 m 2.73 m 2.78 m 2.68 m 2.51 m Horizontal Projection

x = 1.9 m y = .89 m x values to compare to predicted value at 45

Trial 1 2 3 4 5

Range 2.65 m 2.68 m 2.71 m 2.70 m 2.66 m Calculations Average 2.68 m

Rearrange the expression y= 2g(x/Vx) to solve for Vx. y/2g = x/Vx

Vx = gx/2y Vx = (gx/2y) Insert measured distances: Vx = (9.8*1.9)/(2*.89) = 4.458 m/s = muzzle velocity Insert Vx into the equation y= y + Vyt +2gt for V multiplied by the sine of the angle 45 in order to solve for the time. 0 = y + (Vsin45 )t +2gt 0 = .89 + 3.15t +2gt 0 = -4.9t + 3.15t + .89 t = -3.15 (3.15 - 2(-4.9)(.89))/-9.8 t = -3.15 (27.382)/-9.8 t = .855 Plug time into the equation x = Vxt: x =4.458cos45 .855 = 2.69 m * Calculate the percent error: (2.69 2.68)/2.69 = 00.37% error What would happen if we doubled the initial velocity? x = (2)Vxt x/t=(2)Vxt (x/t)/2= Vxt x/2t= Vxt What would happen if we doubled the height? x would increase by the square root of 2.

Conclusion In this experiment we looked at projectile motion with velocities in two dimensions. We looked at the affects of launching an object at different angles at the same velocity, and we developed methods of solving for the amount of time the object was in the air as well as predict how far it would go. Our results turned out almost to be extremely close to our predictions. Our error was very negligible, but the small amount of error was most likely due to error in measurement and air resistance. Also, our range was good.