Lab Report

Mechanics

Group A4
Group members
(i) Muhammad Zeeshan Ayyub
(ii) Mian Muhammad Bilal
(iii) Muhammad Asad Saeed
(iv) Naeem u Din
 Experiment no. 1
Abstract:
In this experiment we use Mini Launcher to determine the horizontal range of the ball at various
angles. Mini Launcher is used for projectile experiments and demonstrations. First the initial
velocity of the steel ball is determined by measuring height and range of the ball when it is first
launched horizontally.

Theory:
Range is the horizontal distance when vertical displacement is zero. But before finding out range,
we need to know the initial velocity of steel ball at which it’s launched. This can be determined
by launching a horizontal ball moves off the table and measures the horizontal and horizontal
distances there the ball goes. Then the first speed can be used to calculate where the ball will
land where the ball is shooting at an angle.

a. Initial velocity of ball

Procedure:
I. Put the ball in mini launcher and place it at some distance. Open one gun and
find out where the ball landed. In this position, paste a piece of white paper
into down. Place a piece of carbon paper (carbon side down) on top of this
paper and paste it down. If the ball hits the ground, it will leave a mark on the
white paper.
II. Then launch three shots
III. Measure the exact distance from the bottom of the ball as it leaves the barrel.
Record this date in the table given bellow.
IV. Use the plumb bob to get the point down below the release area barrel.
Measure the horizontal distance down from the release point to the area of the
front edge of the paper. Note this down in the table.
V. Measure the distance of each of the 5 shots. Put this down in the table
VI. Find the average of all of the 5 distances noted and record the value in the table
given bellow.
VII. Lastly, by the help of vertical distances and average horizontal distances
(calculated), calculate the time of flight and initial velocity of the ball.
VIII. Calculate the total average distance.

Calculations:
Velocity of a projectile is given as.
x
v 0=

√
2y
g
 at θ=0o

Observation no. Range (x, cm)

1 85
2 85.2
3 84.9
Mean value 85.03

Height i.e., ‘ y 0’ will remain same while taking all the measurements at θ=0o
y 0 = 32 cm = 0.32 m
x = 0.8503 m

0.8503
v 0=
0.255

v 0=¿ 3.3345 ms−1

b. Predicting the range of ball

Procedure:
I. Adjust the Mini Launcher to start at an angle of between 20 and 60 degrees above
the horizontal. Write these angles in the table below.
II. Using the first speed and the exact distance obtained in the first part of this test,
calculate the new ones flight time and a new horizontal range of the design
initiated at a new angle.
III. Draw a line through the white paper and glue the paper down so that the line goes
in. The horizontal distance predicted from the Small Launcher. Cover the paper
with carbon paper.
IV. Launch the ball 5 times.
V. Measure all the distances and note down the average in given table.

Calculations:
Range of a projectile is given as,
x = v 0 t cos θ (i)

We can find the value of ‘t’ by using the following equation of height of a projectile.
1 2
y = y 0 +¿ v 0 t sinθ− g t
2

In this equation, ‘y’ denotes final height of the projectile which is equal to 0. Hence, first
equation becomes
 1
y 0 +¿ v 0 t sinθ− g t 2=0 (ii)
2

Height i.e., ‘ y 0’ will remain same while taking all the measurements at θ=30o
y 0= 32.5 cm = 0.325 m

By Quadratic formula;
−b ± √ b2−4 ac
x=
2a

By applying quadratic formula on second equation

√ 2
−v sin θ ± ( v 0 sinθ ) +2 g y 0
t= 0
−g

−1.66 ±3.02
t=
−9.8

−1.66+3.02 −1.66−3.02
t= =−0.1387 s t= =0.4775 s
−9.8 −9.8

As time of flight can’t be negative. So, t = 0.4775s

By putting all the values in first equation;

x = 3,3345 ×0.4775 × cos 30

x = 1.37 m
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Experiment no. 2
Abstract:
In this experiment we use Mini Launcher verify and predict the range of the steel ball if it is
launched at an angle to the horizontal. Mini Launcher is a device used for projectile motions. In
this experiment, we attach photogates which measure the initial velocity of the ball.

Theory:
It is first necessary to determine the initial velocity of the steel ball when it is launched from the
Mini Launcher to predict the point where the ball will land after its launched. To find the range
‘x’ of the ball when it is launched at some angle ‘θ’ above the horizontal, we’ll first have to
predict the time of flight ‘t’ by using following formula
 1 2
y = y 0 +¿ v 0 t sinθ− g t
2
a. Finding initial velocity
Procedure:
I. Insert the steel ball in Mini Launcher and adjust at such an angle for long range.
II. Start the timer and pause to measure the time it takes for the ball to pass both
photogates.
III. Launch the steel ball 3 times then take the average of the measured values. Note
them down in the table below.
IV. Find the initial speed of the ball and note it down in the table given below, if the
distance between the two photogates is 10cm.

Calculations:
Initial velocity is given as,

d x
v 0= =
t t

o
t = 0.0293s ⇒ found by using photogate at θ=0
o
t = 0.0308s ⇒ found by using photogate at θ=30
d = 0.1m ⇒ distance between the two gates of photogate

0.1
v 0=
0.0293

= 3.41 ms−1

b. Finding range of projectile at an angle θ

Procedure:
I. Select an angle to launch the steel ball
II. Measure the height from the position of the barrel from which ball is launched to
the floor. Write the value down in the given table.
III. Using the initial speed and height found earlier calculate the time of flight and the
range of the projectile launched at a certain selected angle.
IV. Tape the paper on the floor at the expected position of landing of the ball and then
cover it with carbon paper so, it leaves a mark when it lands on it.
V. Launch the ball 5 times
VI. Measure the distances for these and record their average value in following table.

Calculations:
Time of flight ‘t’ of projectile can be found by using following formula;
 1 2
y = y 0 +¿ v 0 t sinθ− g t
2

by putting all the values

o 2
0=0.325+3.41 sin 30 t−4.9 t
2
0=0.325+1.705 t−4.9 t
By applying quadratic formula on this equation;
−1.705 ±3.045
t=
−9.8

−1.705+3.045 −1.705−3.045
t= t=
−9.8 −9.8

t=−0.136 s t=0.484 s

As time can’t be negative, so t=0.484 s

Range of a projectile is given as,
x = v 0 t cos θ
x=3.41 ×0.484 ×0.866
x=1.429 m

Experimental value – Theoretical vlaue

% Error (range) = ×100
Theoretical value

1.429−1.37
% Error (range) = ×100 = 4.327 %
1.37

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Experiment no. 3
Abstract:
In this experiment we’ll find how the range of the ball varies with the different angles at which
the steel ball is launched using Mini Launcher. To find the angle at which maximum range is
achieved we’ll consider 2 cases, such that when the ball is launched from some height and other
when the ball is launched from the ground. Mini Launcher is a device which is used to for
projectile motions.

a. Graph for the range of projectile thrown from height y

Procedure:
I. Place the launcher at some height ‘y’.
 II. First fire a test shot to determine the possible position of the landing of the ball.
Attach a white paper and a carbon paper on top of it such that when the ball
strikes, it leave a mark there.
III. Shot at least 2 shots for each angle.
IV. Measure the horizontal distance from the launch position to landing point for
each shot.
V. Note down the readings at 20o ,30o ,45 o,60 o and 70o in given table.

Observatio Angle (θ)

n 20
o
30
o
45
o
60
o
70
o

no.
1 130 177 178.9 148.5 114
2 130.5 177.2 179 148.3 114.3
Mean value 130.25 177.1 178.95 148.4 114.15

Graph:

Range vs Angle
200
180
160
140
120
Range (cm)

100
80
60
40
20
0
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

Angle

b. Graph for the range of projectile thrown from ground

Procedure:
I. Now place the mini launcher at ground level.
II. Follow the same process as explained above at the given angles.
 Observation Angle (θ)
no. 20
o
30
o
45
o
60
o
70
o

1 60.9 83.6 97 85.5 64.6

2 61.5 83.8 97.2 85.3 64.7
Mean value 61.2 83.7 97.1 85.4 64.65

Graph:

Range vs Angle
120

100

80
Range (cm)

60

40

20

0
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

Angle

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