Scribd
Upload
2 views

Projectile motion deconstruction format

The document outlines an experiment to study the relationship between the range of projectile motion and launching height, hypothesizing that the range is directly proportional to the height. It details the methods for measuring independent and dependent variables, controlling other factors, and the materials needed for the experiment. The expected results include a positive gradient in the graph of range versus height, indicating that as height increases, the range also increases.

Uploaded by

Ailie Sofyiana Serasa
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
2 views

Projectile motion deconstruction format

The document outlines an experiment to study the relationship between the range of projectile motion and launching height, hypothesizing that the range is directly proportional to the height. It details the methods for measuring independent and dependent variables, controlling other factors, and the materials needed for the experiment. The expected results include a positive gradient in the graph of range versus height, indicating that as height increases, the range also increases.

Uploaded by

Ailie Sofyiana Serasa
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

Projectile motion deconstruction

How to launch a ball at fixed angle?


What ball is suitable to be used? (air resistance)
How do you fix the speed?
How do you fix the angle?
How do you change the height? How do you measure? Any restriction (eg max. height of retort stand
is 60 cm)?
How do you measure the range?
Any precaution? (hit surrounding equipment)

Objective: To study the relationship between range of projectile motion and launching height

Hypothesis
 Be specific and use terms like “directly proportional”, “inversely proportional”, “varies linearly”,
e.t.c.
Range of projectile motion is directly proportional to launching height.

Variables (include justification)


Independent variable
 Explain the method to change & measure the independent variable
Launching height is chosen as the independent variable because it is easier to manipulate compared to
the range. The projectile launcher is clamped on a stand to vary the launching height. Meter rule is
used to measure the height of the launcher from the ground. Set square is used to ensure that meter
rule is in vertical direction.

Dependent variable
 Explain the method to measure the dependent variable
The distance between the stand and the position where the ball hits the ground is measured as the
range using meter rule. To get a more accurate position (justification) where the metal ball hits the
ground, the ball is launched once in order to observe the rough position. Then a sand box is placed at
that rough position and the ball is launched again. When the ball hits the sand, a hole is created. The
range is measured from the retort stand to the middle of the hole (details).

Variables that must be controlled


See projectile launcher:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpFPWu_QLl0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acynG4kf_vw
Variable Why the variable should be How to keep it constant?
controlled?
Launching Changing the launching angle changes Every time after the launching height is
angle the horizontal component of velocity adjusted, the launching angle is checked
and time of flight. This leads to a to make sure that the same launching
change in the range. angle is used.
Initial speed Changing the speed also changes the The launcher has a shaft to adjust the
horizontal component of velocity and speed which the metal ball is launched.
time of flight. This leads to a change in Due to limited space, the speed of the
the range. metal should not be too high. Adjust the
shaft to give low speed and use this speed
throughout the experiment.
Object shape Object shape affects the drag Metal ball, that is built for the projectile
coefficient which in turn affects the air launcher, will be used in the experiment.
resistance. Rounded object has lower Since the metal ball is a sphere, air
drag coefficient compared to object resistance is small.
with edges.

Variables that cannot be controlled


Variable Why the variable cannot be controlled?
Air density Air density is affected by the surrounding temperature. Since the surrounding
and temperature cannot be controlled, air density may change during the experiment.
surrounding The experiment is conducted in a closed room, hence the air density is not expected
temperature to have large fluctuation.

Material and apparatus


 Provide justification if necessary.
Projectile launcher
Metal ball
Stand
Meter rule
Sand box (to obtain accurate position when the ball hits the ground)
Set square

Methods
 Provide justification if necessary.
 Be specific and provide details if necessary.
 State the equipment used to perform measurements.
 Provide details on how to keep these variables constant.
 Provide labelled diagram for experiment setup.
 Repeat experiment when moving object is involved.
 State what graph to be plotted (dependent variable on y-axis).
 Suggest method to reduce error.
1. Clamp the projectile launcher to a stand.
2. Adjust and measure the height of the launcher to 5.0 cm by using a meter rule.
3. Place the stand and launcher on the ground.
4. Adjust the projectile launcher so that it is below horizontal by 10°. The launcher is directed
downwards so that the metal ball does not hit any object higher up.
5. Launch the metal ball and observe the position where the metal ball hits the ground.
6. A sand box is placed at that position and the ball is launched again.
7. The range is measured from the retort stand to the middle of the hole created by the metal ball
using a meter rule.
8. The sand is flattened to erase the hole created by previous attempt.
9. The metal ball is launched again to obtain a second reading. This helps to reduce random error.
10. Adjust the height of the launcher and measure the height by using a meter rule.
11. Check the protractor to ensure that the angle θ remains at 10°.
12. Repeat step 5 – 11 for height = 15.0 cm, 25.0 cm, 35.0 cm, 45.0 cm, and 55.0 cm.
13. Plot a graph of range against launching height.

Safety precaution (if there is any)


Avoid standing in front of the projectile launching to prevent injury.

Tabulation of data
 Include quantities and units in the first row
 Provide at least 6 set of data.
 Provide justification on the range of independent variable if possible

Range ()
Height (cm)
Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Average
10.0 10.31
20.0 20.62
30.0 30.93
40.0 41.24
50.0 51.55
60.0 61.87

Expected results
 Based on hypothesis, what is the shape of graph?
 Comment on the gradient (e.g. positive or negative) and y-intercept if possible.
The graph is expected to be a straight line passing through the origin. As launching height increases,
time of flight increases hence range increases. The gradient of the graph should be positive.

Reference

Please ensure the deconstruction does not exceed 4 sides of A4 paper.


Deadline: 7 Mar 2022 (next Tuesday)

You might also like