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LAB Projectile Motion

This document summarizes an experiment to determine the initial velocity and launch angle of a projectile using a simulation. Measurements of the horizontal distance traveled by a cannonball launched at various angles were recorded. A graph of the vertical height versus horizontal distance was plotted and its gradient and y-intercept were used to calculate the launch angle as 9.98 degrees and initial velocity as 18.0 m/s based on the projectile motion equations. Sources of error including random error and parallax error are discussed.

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David Benjaming
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384 views4 pages

LAB Projectile Motion

This document summarizes an experiment to determine the initial velocity and launch angle of a projectile using a simulation. Measurements of the horizontal distance traveled by a cannonball launched at various angles were recorded. A graph of the vertical height versus horizontal distance was plotted and its gradient and y-intercept were used to calculate the launch angle as 9.98 degrees and initial velocity as 18.0 m/s based on the projectile motion equations. Sources of error including random error and parallax error are discussed.

Uploaded by

David Benjaming
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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DATE:

LAB#: 2

TITLE: Projectile Motion

AIM: To determine the initial velocity and the launch angle of a projectile.

APPARATUS: https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/projectile-motion/latest/projectile-
motion_en.html

THEORY: Projectile motion is the motion of an object upon by gravity only. The velocity in
the horizontal direction is constant but in the vertical direction is increasing uniformly, for a
projectile launched from a height (y) and an angle Ø respect to the horizontal is given by the
formula

can be derived

VARIABLES:

Manipulated: Height of platform


Responding: Horizontal distance of the cannonball.
Controlled: Cannonball and angle of declination
METHOD
1. Click on the link to launch the simulation

2. Adjust the platform with the cannon to a height of 15m.

3. Set the cannon to an angle of 10o below the horizontal.

4. Launch the cannonball.

5. Use the measuring tape to measure and record the horizontal distance of the
cannonball.

6. Adjust the platform to obtain 5 additional readings.

7. Plot a graph using the equation:

RESULTS:

TABLE SHOWING THE DISTANCE TRAVELLED BY THE CANNON

Vertical Height (y) Horizontal Horizontal Average horizontal


distance ( X1) distance (X2) distance (X)

15 25.85 25.91 25.88 0.580

13 23.60 23.91 23.755 0.547

11 21.62 21.52 21.57 0.510

9 19.17 19.19 19.18 0.469

7 16.21 16.34 16.275 0.430

5 13.20 13.30 13.25 0.377


CALCULATIONS:

Calculate the gradient of the graph.

y/x = tan(∅) + (g/2(Vocos(∅))2)x


y/x = tan(10) + (9.81/(2)(18)2cos(10)2)x
y/x = tan(10) + (9.81/628.5)x
y/x = 0.176 + (0.0156)x
y/x = (0.0156)x + 0.176
≡
Y= (m)x + c

Since m represents the gradient and 0.0156 represents m in the equation therefore 0.0156
is the gradient.

Determine the y intercept

C represents the y-intercept and 0.176 represents c in the equation therefore 0.176 is the Y-
intercept. This is reinforced by the line of best fit intercepting the y-axis at approximately
0.176 proving that 0.176 is the y-intercept.

Determine the value of ϴ and the value of V0 from

c = tan(∅)
0.176 = tan(∅)
tan-1(0.176) = ∅
9.98 = ∅

m = (g/2(Vocos(∅))2)
0.0156 = ((9.81)/2(V02)(cos(9.98)2)
2V02 = ((9.81)/(0.0156)(cos(9.98)2)
2V02 = 648
V02 = 324
V0 = √ 324
V0 = 18.0

PRECAUTIONS:
1) Multiple readings were taken to reduce random error
2) When taking readings, I would keep the screen perpendicular to me eyes to reduce
parallax error.
SOURCES OF ERROR:

1) Random Error - Random errors in experimental measurements are caused by unknown


and unpredictable changes in the experiment. Taking multiple measurements using the
same method will reduce the effect of these un unknown and unpredictable changes in the
experiment.

2) Parallax Error – This is an error caused in the apparent position of the object due to the
viewing angle that is anything other than the angle that is perpendicular to the object.

CONCLUSION: The initial velocity and the launch angle of a projectile was determined was
determined to be 18.0 m/s and 9.98° respectively. The exact values were determined
through the use of the formula y/x = tan(∅) + (g/2(Vocos(∅))2)x and measurements from the
method listed.

-+

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