Purpose:

Basically this activity was based on three major objectives:

1. By using a projectile launcher calculate the initial velocity of a ball shot horizontally.

2. Identify the angle of projection that will generate the maximum rate.

3. By using a set angle identify the average rate of the projection of the ball.

Theory:

It is important to give a definition of a projectile. A projectile is an object able to travel under the force of

gravity. The movement of a projectile experiences is a constant speed in the horizontal direction as well as

a constant acceleration downward in the vertical direction. This acceleration is due to gravity, so a = (-9.8).

By using some kinematics equations we can compute the position and velocity of the trajectory of a

projectile. It can be either horizontal motion or vertical motion. For horizontal motion we can use this
equation in order to determine the position due to the fact that gravity is not acting in the x component.

For Vertical motion we can use this formula to calculate the position of the object

The velocity in a horizontal direction is constant due to the fact that the acceleration is apply in the

vertical direction. Therefore, the velocity in vertical direction is given by this linear expression .When the

object reaches its maximum height its vertical velocity is zero, but its acceleration still be gravity a = (-9.8).

Additionally, when a projectile is launched a certain angle in order to calculate the vertical and horizontal

velocities we should use trigonometry.

At flat angle it will go faster in the horizontal direction than it does at steep angle.

The total velocity of the projectile can be computed by adding the velocity in the x component and the

velocity in the y component using the Pythagorean Theorem.

As an illustration, if we throw a ball from a certain angle. The motion of that ball will be describe as a

parabola. In fact, there are going to be two forces acting on that ball at different times. The contact force

and the gravity force, but once the ball is in the air the only force acting on it is gravity.
The position of the ball in the horizontal direction is described by this equation, but in this case a=0.

Therefore, .

The graph of the position vs time of the ball in the vertical direction will be a parabola that opens down.

The position of the ball will increases until it reaches its maximum height, and then it will decreases, and

come back to its original position. In this case, the acceleration, which is gravity, will have components in

y, so a= g= -9.8. Therefore, the position of the ball will be given by this equation +
The graph of the velocity vs time in the horizontal direction will be a straight line due to the fact that the

ball is not accelerating. It has a constant velocity. Also, we know that velocity is the derivative of position,

and the position of the in the horizontal direction was given by . Therefore, where C is a constant.
The graph of velocity vs time in the vertical direction is an inclined line. As we already know velocity is the

derivative of position, and the position of the ball in the vertical direction was given by the quadratic

equation += + Therefore, the derivative of a quadratic equation is a linear expression. = , so

Additionally, it is important to mention that first the velocity increases, and then it decreases.

Identify the Angle of Maximum Range

Procedure

1. Fasten the projectile launcher to a stool.

2. One member of the group should set the projectile at 30 degrees angle, and then start adding 5
degrees until the projection angle is 50 degrees. Therefore, the projection angle will go from 30 degrees
to 50 degrees.
3. The other member should record the distance travel for the projectile (ball) after it is fired. To do so
this member should use a piece of white paper and a carbon sheet.
4. The white paper and the carbon sheet should be placed on the floor in order to record where the
projectile lands.

Data
Angle of Projection (○) Range of Motion (m)

30 2.81

35 2.88

40 2.93

45 2.86

50 2.73

Analysis: The maximum range was gotten at the angle 40 degrees. The maximum range was 2.93m. We

made a comparison between each range, and we concluded that the distances from the launcher to the

place of lands was continually increasing until it reaches 40 degrees. After that, the distance started to

decreases.

Calculate the Initial Velocity:

Procedure

1. Set the projectile launcher at which can allow us to fire the ball straight out.
2. Use again a white sheet and a carbon sheet. Place them on the floor in order to record the landing of

the ball.
3. Verify that the ball leave a mark on the white paper after the projectile is fire each time.
4. The projectile should be fired five times.
 5. By using a meter measure the distance from the launcher to where the ball lands, and then calculate

the average

Data

Trial X (m)

1 1.97

2 1.96

3 1.93

4 1.97

5 1.98

Δx 1.97

Thus, Δx = 1.97m which is the horizontal distance traveled for the ball, and Δy = 0.92m is the vertical

distance from what the ball falls.

To calculate the initial velocity release from the launcher it is necessary to use a cinematic equation. Δy is

given by this equation Δy = g. However, we know t = provided that. Therefore, it is possible to solve this

equation Δy = g() for Vx. Therefore, Δy= g() = = = = 4.55

 Estimate and Measure the Range at a Particular Angle θ

Procedure

1. Predict the velocity, position and time in the vertical direction by using trigonometry and an
appropriate kinematics equation.

Data

By using trigonometry it is possible to determine the components in y and x of the initial velocity.

= (4.55(cos40) = = 3.48

= (4.55 (sin40) = = 2.93

The time of flight is given by

Because the ball hits the ground at the end. Therefore, we can use this equation and solve for t.

At 40 degrees

= 2. 93

= 0.92m

Thus, we can use the quadratic formula where a = 4.9, b= -2.93, and c =0.92

Analysis: we end with a quadratic equation which describes the path of travel for the object. In this cases

it is a parabola. We used this equation to solve for t, and when we take the square root of something we

will get two answer one positive and the other negative. The negative time represents the time before the

motion starts.

Procedure

1. Set you projectile launcher at you chosen angel.

2. Fire the ball five times.
3. Compute the average range.

4. Compared the measured value to the predicted one.

Data

θ = 40 degrees

Trial Range (m)

1 2.93

2 2.935

3 2.89

4 2.92

5 2.94

Average 2.923

Analysis

If we compare the measured range to the predicted one, we will get the fallowing percent error.

% error = | x 100 = 1.52%

If the initial velocity is doubled, the range will be this

 )

Range =

Range = 4

If the lab stool is twice as high, the range will change in this way:

Range:

Range:
Analysis some sources of error of this experiment was the method used to record the lands of the ball. The

paper was not properly attach to the floor, so in this case the distances that we measure from the

experiment may vary a little from the calculated ones.

Conclusion

A projectile motion can be classify into motion in horizontal direction, and motion in vertical direction.

Position in a vertical motion is given by this equation + , the velocity in the vertical direction is given by .

The position in the horizontal direction is given by , and the velocity in the horizontal direction is given

by vx = C which is a constant. The acceleration in the vertical direction of the projectile is gravity.

Therefore, the acceleration of the horizontal direction is 0 because the gravity is not acting there.