To what extent does the shape effect the distance in cm of the certain projectiles?

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Background information:

Throughout this experiment I am exanimating how the shape of a certain projectile impacts the
distance it travels from the slingshot to the stop distance. The objects i will be using. The
materials I will be using are in the first place a sling shot, which is built out of: 12.7 compression
spring, two 25cm 2x4 boards, 25.cm pvc tube with a half inch diameter with a fitting cap, a 25cm
metal rod with threads on both sides, 2 lock nuts and matching washers with a 1.2cm of a
diameter, 2 screws, glue, duct tape and a drill to be able to drill holes in the wood boards and the
cap for the pvc pipe. Then you would need some objects such as a Pen Pencil and an eraser.
These objects are being put in this information peace as I was not successful to launch other
shapes as it gets stuck on the Launcher. And you could possibly use a ball that is not very big.

Aim:

To investigate the effect of how the different projectiles change the distance.

Research Question:

To what extent does the shape effect the distance in (cm) of the certain projectiles?

Hypothesis:

If I start off with a pen that I will be putting in the launcher, the pen will be traveling at a decent
distance. My hypothesis is that as I start changing the projectile the other projectiles will be
traveling a different distance will be changing depending on how aerodynamic the projectile
seems to look like as well as if a different projectile seems less aerodynamic it will possibly
travel at a faster speed but the aerodynamics could hinder it traveling at a further distance. As i
pull on the metal rod to put more tension on the launcher the object will be traveling a longer
distance as more tension is built which then afterwards the tension will be pushing the certain
objects.
Variables:

Independent:

- The object that is being launched from the slingshot

- The angle of the slingshot being faced at

Dependent:

- The distance of the projectile landing as by being launched bythe slingshot

Controls:

Why factor needs to be

Factor being controlled How factor will be controlled
controlled

Be sure to use scientific

Be sure to be extremely specific Be sure to be specific about
terminology and include
about how you will control this how the experiment could be
UNITS and RANGE (where
factor, keep it the same/constant affected if it wasn’t controlled
applicable)

If it wasn't controlled the

Whilst pulling on the launcher
tensions could depend on how
the tension will be the same as I
Tension being pulled by the I pull it so the distance of the
have put a marker on the handle
hand object could change because
that you pull that you know that
the tension could be less or
it is the right amount of tension
more than anticipated

If you would change the

height of the launcher the
The height of the launcher will
The height of where the distance of the projectile could
be set at the correct and same
Laucher is being on set on be impacted by a small piece
height
but it still would impact the
way it would travel
Apparatus:

 Tripod – stand with a clamp

 For the launcher:
o 5 inch compression spring
o 2 x 25cm 2x4 boards
o 25cm pvc tube with a half inch diameter and a cap
o 25cm metal rod with threads on both sides
o 2 lock nuts and washer with 1.2cm diameter
o 2 screws
o Glue
o Duck tape
o A Drill
 Tape measure of 10 meters
 Pencil
 Pen
 Eraser
 Phone to measure the angle

Method: (PRESENT TENSE)

- First you would have to build your launcher to be then able to launch your objects to be
able to measure the traveling distance.
- The first part in being able to create the launcher you would need the barrel by being able
to apply the cap to the end of the 25cm pvc pipe
- This can be applied using the proper glue for the pvc pipe to be able to securely put the
pvc pipe to the cap.
- Then the cap must have a hole drilled in it with a fourth of an inch diameter drill bit.
- Get a threaded 25cm metal rode and lock the washer on the end of it by locking the lock
nuts
- Take the 12cm spring and put it inside the barrel.
- Then take the plunger and put it inside the barrel so that the washer can catch itself on the
spring while the other end runs out of the hole in the cap
- Next be able to create a handle with duct tape on the other end of the rod so that you have
no more grip.
- So that the does not fly out of the barrel after releasing it.
- Lastly screw the barrel and attach it to the boards you used as a stand. If not being able to
build a stand with the wood boards get a tripod that is able to hold the launcher.
- After being able to build the launcher to be able to launcher the projectiles you would
need to get the following:
o A tape measure that is a metric measurement
o A phone or a computer to be able to record your data successfully
- After getting all the stuff you needed you start you do the following
- First you put the launcher ready to be able to find the distance it travels.
- After everything is set you would first put the launcher to an angle of 75 degrees whilst
using your phone.
- After putting the launcher to its set angle first put the first object into the launcher which
would be a pencil.
- After successfully launching it do it another 3 more times than calculate the average
distance it travels.
- After being able to do it with a pencil do the same process with a pen and an eraser.
- After doing the first round with the angle of a degree of 75 then change the degree to 50
degrees and to the process again as the first round.
- After successfully measuring everything change the angle of a degree of 25 degrees and
do the same process the first and second round.
Results:

Table 1: 65 degrees Effects of projectile on distance traveling

Trail 1 Trail 2 Trail 3 Average

Pencil 245.0cm 336.0cm 267.0cm 282.666667cm
Pen 162.0cm 249.0cm 239.0cm 216.666667cm
Coin / One 243.0cm 381.0cm 372.0cm 332.0cm
dime
- As pulling on the Pulli of the (Launcher) the object has gotten stuck multiple times
due to the fact the (launcher) was loosely built
- Which I then had to fix by tightening and perfecting it multiple times
- As well there was a lot of errors as I wasn't’ able to keep the launcher held on the
tripod stand
- There was also a lot of errors by getting the right amount of tension

Results:

Table 2: 45 degrees Effect of projectile on distance traveling

Trail 1 Trail 2 Trail 3 Average

Pencil 615.5cm 595.0cm 580.5cm 597cm
Pen 568.0cm 544.2cm 342.0cm 484.733333cm
Coin / One 511.5cm 493.0cm 506.0cm 503.5cm
dime
- Whilst lowering the angle it was much easier as the launcher was much straighter as
it is also much easier to pull on it
- As you were able to control the tensions much better than the higher amount of an
degree
Results:

Table 3: 25 degrees Effect of projectile on distance traveling

Trail 1 Trail 2 Trail 3 Average

Pencil 549.0cm 523.0cm 564.0cm 545.333333
Pen 426.0cm 463.0cm 435.0cm 441.333333
Coin / One 631.5cm 643.75cm 524.5cm 599.916667cm
dime
- With this change of angle, it was much easier
- But I would have difficulties holding the launcher flat as the object would fall out or
as for the dime it would just slide out of the launcher

Qualitative Data:

As I had to pull on the Pulli of my launcher the object was getting stuck multiple time
due to the fact that the launcher was not built tight so i had to tighten it. I myself made a
lot of errors as i wasn’t able to keep the launcher held on the tripod stand. There were a
lot of errors by getting the right amount of tension so the object can fly correctly as far as
possible. Whilst lowering the angle it was much easier as the launcher was straighter s it
was much easier to pull on it. As you were able to control the tensions much better than
the higher amount of a degree. With this change of an angle it was much easier to launch
the certain objects. But i had multiple difficulties holding the launcher flat as the object
would fall out or as for the dime it would just slide out of the launcher.

Be sure all of your data points are marked using an: x

Be sure all of your data points are marked using an: x

Title

Title

Line of best fit

Line of best fit

Height vs. Speed

Height vs. Speed

Dependent variable, with UNITS

Dependent variable, with UNITS

Independent variable, with UNITS

Independent variable, with UNIT

 Make sure your graph is directly related to the aim

 Remember trials are only completed in order to reach an average, only graph the average
 The dependent variable measured is not always the variable being investigated
o Always graph the variable being investigated!
 Your graph must include:
o A brief, but descriptive title
o A label on each axis
 X axis – independent variable
 Y axis- dependent variable
o You must include a line or curve of best fit, DO NOT connect the dots
o Your scale must be evenly spaced
o Be sure your graph is the appropriate size, at least half a page
 If necessary, you may include more than one graph

Conclusion: (PAST TENSE, written in paragraphs)

 Your conclusion will analyse your DATA (the actual numbers in your table)
 You should begin explaining if your data supports or does not support your hypothesis
o Be sure to provide evidence to support this claim using data from your experiment
  You then discuss what your data shows
o “As you can see from the data…”
 Use the numbers in your data to explain what happened in your experiment and to answer
your research question
o Discuss what happened to the dependent variable at every independent variable
and what this tells you about what PHYSICALLY and SCIENTIFICALLY
happened in your experiment
o You MUST discuss the SCIENCE happening in your experiment and
support it with your data and scientific literature (when possible), be sure to
cite your sources
o How do your results show you the scientific processes happening in your
investigation?
o Be sure to use your QUALITATIVE DATA (observations) to support the
discussion of what your data means (what it means scientifically)
o Be sure that it is OBVIOUS that you understand what you did, why you did it,
and what happened when you did it
 Then discuss your graph and the relationship it shows
 All of this must eventually lead to you drawing a scientific conclusion directly
related to your research question and supported by accepted scientific conventions
o You must ANSWER your RESEARCH QUESTION, and support this answer
using data from your experiment
 This section should be AT LEAST 1 PAGE

Evaluation:

I made a number of mistakes during my inquiry, which affected the dependability and
consistency of my findings. The instability between the launcher and the tripod was one of the
main problems. Because there was little friction between the launcher and the stand during
testing, it slipped and caused erratic shifts. Because it added a constant, unexpected variable to
every trial, this issue is an example of a systematic error. The instability most likely caused
changes in the force and launch angle, which in turn affected the projectile's distance estimations.
I could fix this by fastening the launcher to the tripod with adjustable clamps or a non-slip mat.
By preventing undesired movement, this modification would enable a more constant launch
angle and force in every trial, lowering systematic error and improving the overall precision of
my findings.

My first failure to apply enough strain to the launcher's string, which reduced the
projectile's range, was another serious mistake. Because it caused differences in the launch force
between trials, this error is a form of random error. The projectile's velocity was impacted by
insufficient tension, which ultimately distorted the distance readings. I could use a mechanical
tension gauge or mark the string to indicate certain tension locations to improve this by creating
a technique for reliably measuring and applying the precise tension required. By resolving the
random faults in force application, this modification would decrease the variability in the launch
force and produce more accurate and reproducible data. Another mistake I made in my initial
trial was failing to record the projectile's time, which affected the precision of my data set. Even
though I fixed this error in subsequent tests, this omission initially left a gap in my data and
reduced the thoroughness of my research. Since this problem was caused by a failure to follow
the procedure rather than a setup flaw, it can be classified as procedural.

I would include a checklist in my process to make sure that all required measures are taken
in every experiment in order to guarantee more accurate data collecting. This enhancement
would lessen the possibility of procedural errors by preventing missed measurements and
encouraging a more methodical approach to data collection. Despite efforts to enhance its
aerodynamic qualities, the projectile went a shorter distance than expected, which was another
surprising result. My tutor and I had thought that the object's design would result in superior
distance performance, therefore this outcome surprised us. This disparity could indicate a
systematic error across trials due to either a mistake in the projectile's manufacture or a failure to
evaluate its aerodynamic appropriateness. I would evaluate the aerodynamic efficiency of a
larger variety of projectile designs prior to the main experiment in order to remedy this. I could
choose a better projectile by examining how various shapes affect flight distance, which would
probably improve the data's accuracy and consistency.
Works Cited Page: (Using MLA Format)

elsfeant21, elsfeant21, and Instructables. “Marble Launcher.” Instructables. Instructables, 18

Dec. 2019. Web. 24 June 2024.

https://www.instructables.com/Marble-Launcher/

Key Concept: Drag Force and Motion – https://chat.gpt/c/66fa7287-0c58-8005-b101-

258f8ca619ec