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Physics Projectile Lab

This document contains a student's lab report on projectile motion. It includes definitions of key terms like range and height. The student made initial predictions about how variables like force, angle and air resistance would affect motion. They then used an online simulation to test these predictions. The student found that their predictions were correct, and was surprised that a dropped object and horizontally fired object reach the ground at the same time when launched from the same height. They drew a labeled diagram of a projectile path and identified that a 90 degree launch angle gives the largest height while a 45 degree angle gives the largest range.

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Vijay Gopal Marupudi
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8K views

Physics Projectile Lab

This document contains a student's lab report on projectile motion. It includes definitions of key terms like range and height. The student made initial predictions about how variables like force, angle and air resistance would affect motion. They then used an online simulation to test these predictions. The student found that their predictions were correct, and was surprised that a dropped object and horizontally fired object reach the ground at the same time when launched from the same height. They drew a labeled diagram of a projectile path and identified that a 90 degree launch angle gives the largest height while a 45 degree angle gives the largest range.

Uploaded by

Vijay Gopal Marupudi
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as ODT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Name: Vijay Gopal Marupudi

Date: 13/12/11 PROJECTILE MOTION Pre-Lab Investigation

Period: Grade 9 Physics

What Do You Think? One day after school you are enjoying a can of soda. After its empty you decide to toss it in the trashcan. What variables determine whether or not you make the shot? Air, force, angle Key Projectile Motion Measurements Write out a definition for each term below. Range It is the displacement from the launching point to the landing point. Height The distance between the projectile at any point and the ground Time It is the duration in which the projectile launches and reaches the ground.

Prediction Table Complete the table below by listing what YOU THINK is the variables involved in projectile motion and describe what YOU THINK their effect will be on the flight path. Variable Air Resistance Force Angle Mass of the projectile Acceleration Height Gravity Predicted Effect of Variable On Motion of Projectile Reduces the range Changes the range and height but depends on the angle Changes the range and height but depends on the force Changes acceleration Depends on force and mass of the projectile Depends on the combination of force, angle and air resistance Pulls the object down

Lab Activity Online Simulation Open up the University of Colorado, PhET Projectile Motion simulation (http://phet.colorado.edu/new/index.php) Spend a few minutes familiarizing yourself with the controls of the simulation before you begin the lab below. Test Your Predictions Use the simulation to test your predictions. Fill in the table below with the variables and their effect on the motion of the projectile. Variable Air Resistance Force Angle Mass of the projectile Acceleration Height Gravity Actual Effect of Variable On Motion of Projectile Reduces the range Changes the range and height but depends on the angle Changes the range and height but depends on the force Changes acceleration Depends on force and mass of the projectile Depends on the combination of force, angle and air resistance Pulls the object down

Design a Test: Youve heard the claim that a bullet shot horizontally will strike the ground at the same time as a bullet dropped from the same height. Use the PhET simulation to test this theory. 1. Describe IN DETAIL what you did to the variables on the simulation to test the theory: I kept the same distance of the cannon from the groun 2. Record your findings (time of flight, distances, angles, etc): Mass:10kg, Air Resistance:0 Angle:90, Initial Velocity:0, responding time: 1.7 Angle:0, Initial Velocity:10, 1. Did you prove or disprove the claim? I proved my point Conclusion Questions: Compare your predicted effects with your actual effects and answer the following questions. 1. List and explain the predictions that you found to be incorrect after performing the test. none

2. Name at least two things that surprised you about projectile motion after performing the test. That dropping an object and throwing an object at a controlled level have the same time

3. Draw a picture of a typical path of a projectile. Label all the key terms, including any necessary explanations

Height Range

4. You should have found that launch angle is a key variable. a. What angle causes the largest height? 90 degree

b. What angle causes the largest range? 45 degree

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