Projectile Motion LAB REPORT 04

INTRODUCTION:
Projectile motion, characterized by the curved trajectory of an object in free fall
influenced by gravity, is a fundamental concept with real-world applications. This
experimental exploration involves studying the properties of projectile motion using a
horizontally projected steel ball. The main goal is to determine the initial velocity by
measuring the range and examining variations in projectile range at different initial angles
while maintaining a constant velocity. The theoretical basis for this investigation is rooted
in the principles of motion with constant acceleration, and additional insights can be
gained by referring to relevant textbook sections on projectile motion and constant
acceleration. The purpose of this lab is to study the properties of projectile motion. From
the motion of a steel ball projected horizontally, the initial velocity of the ball can be
determined from the measured range. For a given initial velocity, the projectile range will
be measured for various initial angles.

⮚ Objectives
The objective of this experiment is to predict and verify the range of the ball launched at an
angle. The initial speed of the ball is determined by shooting it horizontally and measuring
the range of the ball and the height of the launcher

⮚ Materials
Launcher, safety glasses, balls, base, 2D collision accessory, ramrod.

⮚ Procedure
1. Clamp the Projectile Launcher to a sturdy table or other horizontal surface. Mount the
Launcher near one end of the table.
2. Adjust the angle of the Projectile Launcher to zero degrees so the ball will by launched
(horizontally).

Part A: Determining the Initial Horizontal Speed of the Ball

1. Put a plastic ball in the Projectile Launcher and use the ramrod to cock it at the long range
position. Fire one shot to locate where the ball hits the floor. At that point, tape a piece of
white paper to the floor. Place a piece of carbon paper (carbon-side down) on top of the white
paper and tape it in place.

When the ball hits the carbon paper on the floor, it will leave a mark on the white paper.

2. Fire five shots.

1
 Projectile Motion LAB REPORT 04

3. Measure the vertical distance from the bottom of the ball as it leaves the barrel to the floor.
Record this distance in the Data Table.

• The "Launch Position of Ball" in the barrel is marked on the label on the side of the
Launcher.

4. Use a plumb bob to find the point on the floor that is directly beneath the release point on
the barrel. Measure the horizontal distance along the floor from the release point to the
leading edge of the piece of white paper. Record the distance in the Data Table.

5. Carefully remove the carbon paper and measure from the leading edge of the white paper
to each of the ten dots. Record these distances in the Data Table and find the average.
Calculate and record the total horizontal distance (distance to paper plus average distance
from edge of paper to dots).

6. Using the vertical distance 𝒚₀ and the total horizontal distance 𝒙₀, calculate the time of
flight t, and the initial horizontal speed of the ball 𝒗₀. Record the time and speed in the Data
Table.

Part B: Predicting the Range of a Ball Shot at an Angle

1. Adjust the angle of the Projectile Launcher to an angle between 30 and 60 degrees. Record
this angle in the second Data Table.

2. Using the initial speed and vertical distance from the first part of this experiment, calculate
the new time of flight and the new horizontal distance based on the assumption that the ball is
shot at the new angle you have just selected. Record the predictions in the second Data Table.

3. Draw a line across the middle of a white piece of paper and tape the paper on the floor so
that the line on the paper is at the predicted horizontal distance from the Projectile Launcher.
Cover the white paper with carbon paper (carbon side down) and tape the carbon paper in
place.

4. Shoot the ball five times.

5. Carefully remove the carbon paper. Measure the distances to the five dots and record the
distances in the second Data Table.

2
 Projectile Motion LAB REPORT 04

⮚ Schematics:

-The materials used in the experience-

3
 Projectile Motion LAB REPORT 04

Part B: Data ,results and analysis:

Calculating the time of flight for each angle theoretically {when the ball reaches the
floor}:
We may use the following formula:
1
0 = 𝑦₀ + 𝑣₀ sin 𝛼 𝑡 − gt² Formula-01-
2

➢ A sample of calculation
Now we solve this equation to get t for each angle:
When 𝛼 = 30°:
1
0 = 𝑦₀ + 𝑣₀ 𝑠𝑖𝑛 (30°)𝑡 − gt²
2
t = 0.67 s
When 𝛼 = 45°:
1
0 = 𝑦₀ + 𝑣₀ 𝑠𝑖𝑛 (45°)𝑡 − gt²
2
t = 0.76s
When 𝛼 = 60°:
1
0 = 𝑦₀ + 𝑣₀ 𝑠𝑖𝑛 (60°)𝑡 − gt²
2
t = 0.82s
Calculating the horizontal distances theoretically {prediction}:

We may use the following formula {we assume that the ball start from x0=0}:

𝑥 = 𝑣₀ 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝛼 𝑡 Formula-02

➢ A sample of calculation
When 𝛼 = 30°:
𝑥 = 𝑣₀ 𝑐𝑜𝑠 (30°) 𝑡

x = 1.68m
When 𝛼 = 45°:
𝑥 = 𝑣₀ 𝑐𝑜𝑠 (45°) 𝑡

x = 1.56m
When 𝛼 = 60°:
𝑥 = 𝑣₀ 𝑐𝑜𝑠 (60°) 𝑡

x = 1.19m

4
 Projectile Motion LAB REPORT 04

After the five shots, we get 5 Δx correspond to the difference between the actual range and
the theoretical one for each shot. The results are shown in the table below:

The angle 𝛂 Δx1 Δx2 Δx3 Δx4 Δx5

30° 1.80 cm 4.60 cm 4.00 cm 4.20 cm 1.30 cm
45° 7.40 cm 10.8 cm 11.3 cm 10.1 cm 10.3 cm
60° 4.30 cm 6.80 cm 8.10 cm 10.1 cm 11.4 cm

Finding the average Δxavg for each angle:

∑ 𝚫𝐱
Δxavg =
𝟓

➢ A sample of calculation
1.8+4.6+4+4.2+1.3
Δxavg(𝛼=30°) = = 3.18 cm =0.032m
5

7.4+10.8+11.3+10.1+10.3
Δxavg(𝛼=45°) = = 9.98 cm =0.10m
5

4.3+6.8+8.1+10.1+11.4
Δxavg(𝛼=60°) = = 8.14 cm =0.081m
5

Hence the finale results are:

The angle 𝛂 XTheoretical XExperimental

30° 1.68 m 1.71 m
45° 1.56 m 1.66 m
60° 1.19 m 1.27 m

In order to calculate the error between the predicted theoretical distance XTheoretical and the
actual average distance XExperimental we use the formula:
|𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙−𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙 |
𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟% = ∗ 100 Formula-03-
𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙

➢ A sample of calculation
When 𝛼 = 30°:
|1.68 −1.71 |
𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟% = ∗ 100 = 𝟏. 𝟕𝟗%
1.68
When 𝛼 = 45°:
|1.56 −1.66 |
𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟% = ∗ 100 = 𝟔. 𝟒𝟏%
1.56

When 𝛼 = 60°:

5
 Projectile Motion LAB REPORT 04

|1.19 −1.27 |
𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟% = ∗ 100 = 𝟔. 𝟕𝟐%
1.19