Physics Lab Report Number 3 (Group 3)

Of Projectile Motion Experiment 1&2.

Serial Number Name Registration Number

1 Faras Ayub Awan 522089

2 Mughees Abbas 502728

3 Muhammad 524734
Rukhshan Butt

4 Ahmed Faheem 524864

5 Muhammad Ali 506225

Azfar

Submitted to Lab Instructor Ghulam Mustafa

Task 1:
Abstract:
In this experiment, we used a mini launcher to study the motion of a steel ball projected at an
angle (0 Degree). We applied kinematic principles to develop a theoretical model of its
trajectory and calculated the theoretical and experimental results. Each student took a series of
shots, recording the range of the steel ball and using their average to find the time taken and
initial Velocity of the steel ball. Finally plotting a table using those values. In this experiment
air resistance was considered negligible and any variations that occurred were assumed to be
done by gravitational acceleration.

Apparatus Used:

● Steel Ball

● Meter ruler

● Carbon Paper

● A4 size Blank Paper

● Mini launcher

Procedure:

● We started the experiment by placing the mini launcher at zero-degree angle (θ) and
using the meter rule we recorded the mouth of the mini launchers vertical distance to
the table (Yo).

● First, we inserted the metal ball into the mini launcher and fired a practice shot to
eyeball (roughly estimate) its landing point.

● Then at that point we first placed the A4 size blank paper and placed the carbon paper
over the A4 paper. To secure them with the table we used scotch tape. Once the ball
would collide with the carbon paper it would leave an imprint on the A4 paper. Hence,
we could calculate the range from it.

● Then we started recording readings of its range of each shot fired using meter rule and
tabulated the data and kept checking whether the angle of launch was constant or not.

● We repeated step 4, 10 times and calculated average range, time and Initial velocity of
the motion.

● All of the above steps were then repeated to find the range of negative angles (20-60)
and 3 times readings were recorded for each angle and then we calculated average
range, time and Initial velocity of the motion.
 Formula for Initial Velocity and Time,
𝑥
𝑉= 𝑡

1 2
Yo = 𝑔𝑡
2

Data Analysis:
Serial Number Angle (θ) Range (cm)
1 0 26.1
2 0 26.0
3 0 25.3
4 0 25.5
5 0 25.4
6 0 25.5
7 0 25.3
8 0 24.5
9 0 24.2
10 0 24.3

Average Range (x) = 25.2 cm

Distance Yo = 21.5 cm

1 2
Yo = 𝑔𝑡
2

2Yo
t =√ 𝑔

2(21.5 / 100)
t=√ 9.81
t = 0.209s
𝑥
V=𝑡
25.2/100
V= 0.209
V = 1.20 ms-1

Serial Angle (θ) Range 1 (cm) Range 2 (cm) Range 3 (cm) Average
Number Range (cm)
(x)
1 20 104.0 105.0 105.5 104.7
2 30 120.2 121 121 120.7
3 40 124.7 124.2 124.3 124.4
4 50 126.2 126.5 127.0 126.6
5 60 115.6 117.3 117.8 116.9

Angle (θ) Distance (Yo)

20 25.5
 30 27.6
40 28.9
50 30.3
60 31.9

Time and initial Velocity for angle 20:

2Yo
t =√ 𝑔

2(25.5 / 100)
t=√ 9.81
t = 0.228s
𝑥𝑐𝑜𝑠θ
V= 𝑡
1.047𝑐𝑜𝑠20
V= 0.228
V = 4.31 ms-1

Time and initial Velocity for angle 30:

2Yo
t =√ 𝑔

2(27.6 / 100)
t=√ 9.81
t = 0.237s
𝑥𝑐𝑜𝑠θ
V= 𝑡
1.207𝑐𝑜𝑠30
V= 0.237
V = 4.41 ms-1

Time and initial Velocity for angle 40:

2Yo
t =√ 𝑔

2(28.9 / 100)
t=√ 9.81
t = 0.242s
𝑥𝑐𝑜𝑠θ
V= 𝑡
1.244𝑐𝑜𝑠40
V= 0.242
V = 3.93 ms-1

Time and initial Velocity for angle 50:

2Yo
t =√ 𝑔

2(30.3/ 100)
t=√ 9.81
t = 0.248s
 𝑥𝑐𝑜𝑠θ
V= 𝑡
1.266𝑐𝑜𝑠50
V= 0.248
V = 3.28 ms-1

Time and initial Velocity for angle 60:

2Yo
t =√ 𝑔

2(31.9 / 100)
t=√ 9.81
t = 0.255s
𝑥𝑐𝑜𝑠θ
V= 𝑡
1.169𝑐𝑜𝑠60
V= 0.255
V = 2.29 ms-1

Average Initial Velocity = 3.644 ms-1

Range
140

120

100

80

60

40

20

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70

Result and conclusion:

• Initial Velocity V = 1.20 ms-1
• Average Range = 25.2 cm
• Time of complete motion t = 0.209s
• Distance Yo = 21.5 cm
• For angled motions, Average Initial Velocity = 3.644 ms-1 Average Time = 0.242
In this experiment the slight variation in the readings of range might have been caused by
gravitational acceleration or air resistance. The variations in motions starting from an angle are
dues to gravitational acceleration and air resistance.

Discussion:
The errors or variations in this experiment are ignorable as they could have been caused either
by gravitational acceleration or wind. Hence to have more precise calculations the experiment
should take place in a closed environment.

Q: Why was air resistance considered negligible in this experiment?

A: Air resistance was considered negligible to simplify the calculations and focus on the effects
of gravity on the projectile's motion.
Q: What could cause variations in the range measurements?
A: Variations could be due to slight differences in the launch angle, imperfections in the setup,
or external factors like air currents.
Q: How is the initial velocity of the projectile calculated?
A: The initial velocity is calculated using the formula
V=x/t, where
x is the average range and
t is the time of flight.
Q: What is the role of the carbon paper in the experiment?
A: The carbon paper leaves an imprint on the A4 paper when the steel ball lands, allowing for
accurate measurement of the range.
Q: How does gravitational acceleration affect the experiment?
A: Gravitational acceleration influences the time of flight and the descent of the projectile,
impacting range and velocity calculations.
Q: Why was the launcher set to a zero-degree angle?
A: Launching at a zero-degree angle simplifies the trajectory to a horizontal motion, making it
easier to analyse the effects of gravity
Task 2:
Abstract:
In this experiment, we used a mini launcher to study the motion of a steel ball projected at
different angle ranges from positive to negative. We applied kinematic principles to develop a
theoretical model of its trajectory and calculated the theoretical and experimental results. Each
student took a series of shots, recording the range of the steel ball and using their average to
find the time taken and initial Velocity of the steel ball. Finally plotting a graph using those
values. In this experiment air resistance was considered negligible and any variations that
occurred were assumed to be done by gravitational acceleration.

Apparatus Used:

● Steel Ball

● Meter ruler (x2)

● Carbon Paper

● A4 size Blank Paper

● Mini launcher

Procedure:

● We started the experiment by placing the mini launcher at positive-degree angle (θ) and
(for each angle) using the meter rule we recorded the mouth of the mini launchers
vertical distance to the table (Yo).

● First, we inserted the metal ball into the mini launcher and fired a practice shot to
eyeball (roughly estimate) its landing point.

● Then at that point we first placed the A4 size blank paper and placed the carbon paper
over the A4 paper. To secure them with the table we used scotch tape. Once the ball
would collide with the carbon paper it would leave an imprint on the A4 paper. Hence,
we could calculate the range from it.

● Then we started recording readings of its range of each shot fired using meter rule and
tabulated the data and kept checking whether the angle of launch was constant or not.

● We repeated the above steps, 3 times for the angle and calculated average range from
it and then we calculated average range, time and Initial velocity of the motion.

● Then we repeated the above steps for negative and positive angles (all angles) and 3
times readings were recorded for each angle and then we calculated average range, time
and Initial velocity of the motion.
 Formula for Initial Velocity and Time,
𝑥
𝑉= 𝑡

1 2
Yo = 𝑔𝑡
2

Data Analysis:
All positive angles
Serial Angle (θ) Range 1 (cm) Range 2 (cm) Range 3 (cm) Average
Number Range (cm)
(x)
1 40 14.4 14.4 14.3 14.4
2 30 23.1 23.5 23.5 23.4
3 20 33.7 34.3 33.9 33.7
4 10 52.7 50.3 50.4 51.1

All negative angles

Serial Angle (θ) Range 1 (cm) Range 2 (cm) Range 3 (cm) Average
Number Range (cm)
(x)
1 10 89.0 87.8 86.7 87.8
2 20 104.0 105.0 105.5 104.7
3 30 120.2 121 121 120.7
4 40 124.7 124.2 124.3 124.4
5 50 126.2 126.5 127.0 126.6
6 60 115.6 117.3 117.8 116.9
7 70 65.8 65.2 65.0 65.3
8 80 30.0 29.0 29.4 28.4

Angle (θ) Distance (Yo)

+40 14.0
+30 15.6
+20 17.5
+10 19.0
0 21.5
-10 23.2
-20 25.5
-30 27.6
-40 28.9
-50 30.3
-60 31.9
-70 32.8
-80 34.0
Negative Angles Graph:
 Range (cm)
140

120

100

80

60

40

20

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

Positive Angles Graph:

Range (cm)
60

50

40

30

20

10

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45

All Positive calculations:

Time and initial Velocity for angle 10:
2Yo
t =√ 𝑔

2(19.0 / 100)
t=√ 9.81
t = 0.196s
𝑥𝑐𝑜𝑠θ
V= 𝑡
51.1𝑐𝑜𝑠10
V= 0.196
V = 2.56 ms-1

Time and initial Velocity for angle 20:

2Yo
t =√ 𝑔

2(17.5 / 100)
t=√ 9.81
t = 0.188s
𝑥𝑐𝑜𝑠θ
V= 𝑡
0.337𝑐𝑜𝑠20
V= 0.188
V = 1.68 ms-1

Time and initial Velocity for angle 30:

2Yo
t =√ 𝑔

2(15.6 / 100)
t=√ 9.81
t = 0.178s
𝑥𝑐𝑜𝑠θ
V= 𝑡
0.234𝑐𝑜𝑠30
V= 0.178
V = 1.138ms-1

Time and initial Velocity for angle 40:

2Yo
t =√ 𝑔

2(14.0 / 100)
t=√ 9.81
t = 0.168s
𝑥𝑐𝑜𝑠θ
V= 𝑡
0.144𝑐𝑜𝑠40
V= 0.168
V = 0.656 ms-1

All negative calculations:

Time and initial Velocity for angle 10:
2Yo
t =√ 𝑔

2(23.2 / 100)
t=√ 9.81
t = 0.217s
𝑥𝑐𝑜𝑠θ
V= 𝑡
 87.8𝑐𝑜𝑠10
V= 0.217
V = 3.98 ms-1

Time and initial Velocity for angle 20:

2Yo
t =√ 𝑔

2(25.5 / 100)
t=√ 9.81
t = 0.228s
𝑥𝑐𝑜𝑠θ
V= 𝑡
1.047𝑐𝑜𝑠20
V= 0.228
V = 4.31 ms-1

Time and initial Velocity for angle 30:

2Yo
t =√ 𝑔

2(27.6 / 100)
t=√ 9.81
t = 0.237s
𝑥𝑐𝑜𝑠θ
V= 𝑡
1.207𝑐𝑜𝑠30
V= 0.237
V = 4.41 ms-1

Time and initial Velocity for angle 40:

2Yo
t =√ 𝑔

2(28.9 / 100)
t=√ 9.81
t = 0.242s
𝑥𝑐𝑜𝑠θ
V= 𝑡
1.244𝑐𝑜𝑠40
V= 0.242
V = 3.93 ms-1

Time and initial Velocity for angle 50:

2Yo
t =√ 𝑔

2(30.3/ 100)
t=√ 9.81
t = 0.248s
𝑥𝑐𝑜𝑠θ
V= 𝑡
 1.266𝑐𝑜𝑠50
V= 0.248
V = 3.28 ms-1

Time and initial Velocity for angle 60:

2Yo
t =√ 𝑔

2(31.9 / 100)
t=√ 9.81
t = 0.255s
𝑥𝑐𝑜𝑠θ
V= 𝑡
1.169𝑐𝑜𝑠60
V= 0.255
V = 2.29 ms-1

Time and initial Velocity for angle 70:

2Yo
t =√ 𝑔

2(32.8/ 100)
t=√ 9.81
t = 0.258s
𝑥𝑐𝑜𝑠θ
V= 𝑡
0.653𝑐𝑜𝑠70
V= 0.258
V = 0.865 ms-1

Time and initial Velocity for angle 80:

2Yo
t =√ 𝑔

2(34/ 100)
t=√ 9.81
t = 0.263s
𝑥𝑐𝑜𝑠θ
V= 𝑡
0.284𝑐𝑜𝑠80
V= 0.263
V = 0.187 ms-1

Average Positive angle Initial Velocity = 1.50 ms-1

Average Negative angle Initial Velocity = 2.90 ms-1

Result and conclusion:

• Average Positive angle Initial Velocity = 1.50 ms-1
• Average Negative angle Initial Velocity = 2.90 ms-1
 In this experiment the slight variation in the readings of range might have been caused by
gravitational acceleration, air resistance or varying angles. The variations in motions
starting from an angle are dues to gravitational acceleration and air resistance.

Discussion:
The errors or variations in this experiment are ignorable as they could have been caused either
by gravitational acceleration or air resistance. Hence to have more precise calculations the
experiment should take place in a closed environment. The angles should be precisely adjusted.
•
• Q: Why was air resistance considered negligible in this experiment?
• A: Air resistance was considered negligible to simplify the calculations and focus on
the effects of gravity on the projectile's motion.
• Q: What could cause variations in the range measurements?
• A: Variations could be due to slight differences in the launch angle, imperfections in
the setup, or external factors like air currents.
• Q: How is the initial velocity of the projectile calculated?
• A: The initial velocity is calculated using the formula
• V=x/t, where
• x is the average range and
• t is the time of flight.
• Q: What is the role of the carbon paper in the experiment?
• A: The carbon paper leaves an imprint on the A4 paper when the steel ball lands,
allowing for accurate measurement of the range.
• Q: How does gravitational acceleration affect the experiment?
• A: Gravitational acceleration influences the time of flight and the descent of the
projectile, impacting range and velocity calculations.
• Q: Why was the launcher set to a zero-degree angle?
• A: Launching at a zero-degree angle simplifies the trajectory to a horizontal motion,
making it easier to analyse the effects of gravity.