Experiment : Projectile Motion

Experiment : Projectile Motion

I. Purpose :

a.  To measure the time of flight

b.  To measure the horizontal distance

c.  To calculate the initial velocity Vox using

Range = Vox t ; X = Xo + Voxt

Height= y-yo = ½ gt2

d.  To graph the Vox VS horizontal distance RANGE .

e.  To graph the angle of the incline VS the Vox

II. Materials : ping pong ball ,Meter stick or ruler , whiteboards or wood planks, masking tape or blue tape .

III. Procedures:

1.  Measure the height of the table in meters. Height = y-yo = ______cm

2.  Use one book. Measure the height of the ramp.

3.  Measure the length of the ramp .

4.  Calculate the angle of the incline using appropriate Trigonometric function .

5.  Measure the time , sec

IV. Background Information / Physics Concepts :

Projectile Discussion, Equations for Horizontally Launched Projectile , Trigonometric Functions , % difference

V. Diagram : Draw the Set up with label and measurements

VI. Data Table :

Books / Height of the ramp.cm / Length of the ramp, cm / Angle =
Sin Opp/Hyp,
degrees / t, sec / Range ,
(X-Xo)
cm / Vox, m/s / Calculated
Height , y-yo / % difference

VII. Calculations: Show calculations for angles , Vox , calculated height and % difference

VIII. Graphing : Angle of the Ramp VS Vox ; Vox VS Range

IX. Analysis

Discuss how time was measured, range was determined and Vox calculated.

What happens to the initial velocity Vox when the angle of the incline plane increases?

What happens to the horizontal distance when the Vox increases?

X. Conclusion