Applied Physics [PHY-101] 

Lab 04LAB 04  
 Mini Launcher 
EXPERIMENT 1: Projectile Motion 
Outline:
The PASCO mini launcher is a device used for the practical demonstration of
the projectile motion.
In this particular experiment, our aim will be to determine and verify the range
of the projectile motion for the balls shot at varying angles.

Equipment needed
  Mini Launcher and steel ball
 Plumb bob
 Meter stick
 Carbon paper
 White paper

Theory
In order to theoretically calculate the range x of the projectile, we would
first have to find out the initial velocity of the motion by setting the mini launcher at
an angle of zero degrees. Through a series of mathematical expressions and
experimentation, the value of initial velocity is determined that is then further
applied in calculations when the angle is set greater than or less than zero degrees. 
 
 
Expression:
1. Initial horizontal velocity: 
First, the time of flight is determined using the formula: 

where y is the vertical distance from the point of launching to the

ground, measured by a meter rule and g is acceleration due to gravity.

The value of y is experimentally calculated. 

Then the initial velocity is determined by: 

where x is experimentally calculated range (horizontal distance) and t is time

of flight.
Then finally theoretical value of x is determined using the formula: 
x= (v cos θ) t 
In the end the percentage errors between the experimentally and theoretically
calculated x is determined. 
 
2. Initial velocity at an angle 
v remains the same. 
 Then the time of flight is determined using the formula: 

where y。is the initial height of the

ball and y is the position of the ball
when it hits the floor.
Theoretical value of x is determined using the same formula: 
x= (v cos θ) t 

procedure
Part 1: 
 Set the mini launcher to zero degrees and insert the bob inside it. 
 Next, measure the vertical height y from the launching point to the landing
ground using a meter rule. 
 Conduct at least three experiments using carbon paper to pin the point where
the bob drops noting down the horizontal distance x covered by the bob at all
times, then taking the mean of the three values. 
 This will be equal to the experimentally determined range. 
 Then calculate t using

 Next, calculate initial velocity using

v=x/t
putting x as the mean of experimentally determined range. 
 Now calculate theoretical value of x using x= (v cos θ) t 
 Calculate percentage error. 

Part 2: 
 The next step is to change the angle of the mini launcher. Set it to positive
angle. 
 Calculate new value of y. 
 Measure experimentally determined range three times, taking its average,
using the same procedure as stated earlier. 
 Calculate time using quadratic equation 

ignoring the negative value of t. 

 Calculate theoretically determined
range using the same formula 
 x= (v cos θ) t 
 Calculate percentage error.
 
 
Part 3: 
 Repeat the same procedure for a negative angle. 

EXPERIMENT 2: Projectile Motion Using Photo Gates 

Outline:
Similar to the Experiment 1, we will predict and verify the range of the
projectile motion for various angles- basic difference being in the use of
photogates to determine the initial velocity instead of the formula v=x/t.

Equipment needed
 Mini Launcher and steel ball
 Photogate bracket
 Photogates
 Computer and Timing software
 Plumb bob
 Meter stick
 Carbon paper
 White paper

Theory
In order to theoretically calculate the range x of the projectile, we would first
have to find out the initial velocity of the motion. This is done by using photo gates.
We can now use the value of initial velocity to calculate range of the projectile
when it is set at an angle. For that, first predict the time of flight using:

 where y。is the initial height of the ball

and y is the position of the ball when it hits
the floor. Then range is found using
x= (v cos θ) t 
If the ball is shot at an angle below the horizontal, θ is negative.
 Procedure
Part 1: 
 Set the mini launcher to zero degrees and attach the photo gate to its end. Now
plug the photo gate to a computer. 
 Measure the distance between the photo gates. Normally it is 10 cm. 
 Run the timing program and set it to measure the time it takes the ball to pass
through both photo gates. 
 Now shoot the ball three times, noting down the time using the photo gates,
and the range x using a meter rule and carbon papers. 
 Calculate the mean time and mean range. 
 Use the formula 
v=x/t
to calculate initial velocity. Where x is the distance between the photo
gates that is 10 cm and t is the time calculated using photo gates. 
 Now determine the vertical distance y using a meter rule. 
 Calculate time of flight using

  
 Now find the theoretical value of range using the formula
x= (v cos θ) t 
 Calculate percentage error. 
 
Part 2: 
 Set the mini launcher at an angle greater than or less than zero degrees.  
 Measure vertical distance y 
 Shoot the bob three times, calculate range at each time and take its mean.
 The value of initial velocity remains the same as in part1 
 Calculate time of flight using quadratic formula used in experiment 1  
 Now find theoretical value of range x using the formula x= (v cos θ) t 
 Calculate percentage error. 

EXPERIMENT 3:  On the table and off the table

projectile 
Outline
 This experiment will demonstrate how the range of the projectile motion
depends upon the launch angle. In this experiment, a graph will be plotted
between angle (x axis) and experimentally determined range x. 

Equipment needed
 Launcher and steel ball
 Plumb bob
 Measuring tape or meter stick
 Carbon paper
 Graph paper
 White paper

Theory
This experiment consists of two parts namely; on the table, off the table. In
“on the table” experiment, the apparatus is set on a table in such a way that the bob
lands on the table, giving a complete projectile motion whereas in the second
experiment the apparatus is set on the table with the landing point set as the ground.
Both these experiments result in a different graph. In these experiments, the range
will be calculated using x= (v cos θ) t,
where v is the initial speed of the ball as it leaves the muzzle, θ is the angle of
inclination above horizontal, and t is the time of flight.

When the ball lands at the same elevation at which it was launched, the time of
flight will be twice the time it takes to reach the peak. At the peak vertical velocity
is 0:

Time of flight:

When the ball is launched at an angle from the table onto the floor, the time of
flight is calculated using:

Where y。is the initial height of the ball and y is the position of the ball when it hits
the floor.
 Procedure
Part 1:

On the
table 
 As mentioned in the previous experiments, the mini launcher is set at an
angle and the bob is inserted in it.  
 The bob is launched; it leaves a mark on the carbon paper placed on the
table. 
 The distance x and the initial angle is noted down. 
 Then the angle is increased. 
 The new distance and angle is noted down. 
 The above two steps are repeated with different values of angle. 
 The graph between the two quantities is plotted  

Generally, the graph assumes the following shape:

Part 2:

Off the table 

  This part is similar to Part 1: On the table. 
The only difference is that the mini launcher is set in such a way that the bob
lands at the ground from the edge of the table.

General shape of the graph:

Experiment 4: Projectile Path

Outline
This experiment is used to relate the vertical distance to the horizontal
distance traveled by the ball when it is launched horizontally.

Equipment needed
 Mini Launcher and steel ball
 Measuring tape or meter stick
 Carbon paper
 White paper
 Movable vertical target board (Must reach from floor to muzzle)
 Graph paper

Theory
The horizontal distance, x, between the muzzle of the launcher and the place
where the ball hits is the range, given by x = v 。t, where v 。is the initial
speed of the ball as it leaves the muzzle and t is the time of
flight.
 The time of flight of the ball shot horizontally will be

The vertical distance, y, that the ball falls in time t is given by

where g is the acceleration due to gravity.

Substituting t into the y equation, we get:

A plot of y versus x2 will be a straight line.

Procedure
 Measure the vertical height from the floor to the muzzle and mark it on the
target.
 Measure the horizontal distance from the muzzle of the mini launcher to the
target.
 Then shoot the ball.
 Move the target 5 cm closer to the launcher.
 Repeat Steps 2 to 4 till the ball strikes the target 10 cm below the muzzle
height.
 On the target, measure the vertical distances from the muzzle height to the ball
marks.
 Calculate x2 for all points.
 Plot y vs x2 and calculate the slope of the graph.
 From the slope of the graph, calculate the initial speed of the ball as it leaves
the muzzle.
 Calculate the time using y and then calculate the initial speed using time and x
values.
 Lastly, calculate percentage difference between the initial speeds that you
calculated using the two methods.