Projectile Motion Experiment:

In this lab you will be given two projectile motion cases. Your job is to use kinematics equations to calculate your values.

  1. Consider the first case: A projectile is fired with a horizontal velocity Vo from the top of a lab table. The ball hits the floor at a maximum distance d.
  1. Measure the high h from the floor to where the ball is.
  2. Measure the distance d.
  3. Take five readings of the time of fly.
  4. Calculate the average of the five time readings
  5. Find the initial velocity of the projectile using the above values.
  6. Find the y component of the velocity at the time of impact.
  7. Find the final velocity (magnitude and direction) of the projectile when it hits the ground. Use the value of t from part d for this.

h.  Calculate the time of fly, using h (part a) or x (part b). Do not use the value of the initial velocity found in part e.

  1. Using the value of t from part h and the measured distance (X) and high (h), find the velocity (magnitude and direction) of the projectile when it hits the ground.
  2. Find the percent error between the velocities magnitudes and directions values in g and i. Use the value of the velocity in part i as the theoretical value.
  3. Now fire your projectile at an angle θ (do not calculate θ by using trig) by inserting a wooden board underneath the gun. Assume that the magnitude of the initial velocity of the projectile is the same as the initial velocity in part 1. Measure the time of fly of the projectile five times and take the average. Then measure and/or calculate any values that you think you need in order to calculate the following:
  4. The values of the X and Y components of the initial velocity. (Do not measure the angle)
  5. The direction of the initial velocity. That is the angle at which you shot the projectile.
  6. The final velocity (magnitude and direction) of the projectile when it hits the ground.


Questions:

2.  Show that the orbit equation for a parabolic orbit of a projectile is given by:

Y= X * tan(θo) – ½ g*[ X2/(Vo2 *cos2 θo)]

Where:

Y is the vertical position at a given time

Vo is the initial velocity

X is the horizontal position at a given time.

θo is the shooting angle.

3.  Show that:

Vy = Vo*sin θo – g*[X/(Vo*cos θo )]


Projectile Motion Report

Break your report in three parts and include the following in each: Start each part in a new page.

Part I: Horizontal initial velocity

1.  Data section:

  1. Use tables. Follow the guidelines from the lab format handout.

2.  Calculations:

  1. Show all the calculations necessary to obtain the answers.
  2. Use correct units.

3.  Results:

  1. List all the results from the experiment.
  2. Label everything clearly so that I am able to tell what your answer is and represents.

4.  Percent Error:

  1. Any percent errors that you are asked to calculated must be included here.
  2. Include an error analysis if your percent error is too high.
  3. Include ideas on how to improve the experiment.

Part II: Projectile shot with initial angle

1.  Data section:

  1. Use tables and type everything. Follow the guidelines from the lab format handout.

2.  Calculations:

  1. Show all the calculations necessary to obtain the answers.
  2. Use correct units.

3.  Results:

  1. List all the results from the experiment.
  2. Label everything clearly so that I am able to tell what your answer is and represents.

4.  Percent Error:

  1. Any percent errors that you are asked to calculated must be included here.
  2. Include an error analysis if your percent error is too high.
  3. Include ideas on how to improve the experiment.

Part III:

1.  Conclusion:

  1. Discuss any differences and similarities between the two projectiles cases performed during the experiment.