Department of Physics, SNS

Applied Physics (PHY-102) Lab

Lab Instructor:

School: SEECS Date: 5/10/2023

Lab 03: Mini-Launcher (Part 4, 5, 6)

Group Number: 5
Serial Name CMS
Number ID
1 Ezn 465303
2 Syed Muhammad Abdurrehman 467471
3 Shazil Asif 481491
4 Asjad 454597
5 Ali Usman 454389
Abstract:
This lab covered the topic of projectile motion. The lab consisted of 3 experiments, which
were the continuation of the experiments done in the previous lab. In the first 2
experiments, we measured how range varies with initial angle, the difference being the
presence of vertical displacement. In the 3rd experiment, we measured how range varies
with vertical displacement with horizontal displacement, and calculated the value of the
initial velocity. Graphs were drawn accordingly for each experiment.

Theory:
Projectile motion is a type of motion experienced by an object that is projected from a
point and the only force acting upon it is the force of gravity, hence, it moves in a curved
path i.e, a parabolic path.

In projectile motion, 7 variables are involved: initial velocity, final velocity, acceleration,
time of flight, vertical displacement, horizontal displacement (range) and angle of
projection.

In the first experiment, the projectile was fired with some fixed vertical displacement and
the variation of range with the angle of projection was investigated. This can be observed
by the formula:

2
H sin(2 θ)
R=
g
2
H
Maximum range must be at 45° as the formula shows that R= when that happens. At
g
90, the range becomes 0 as sin(180) is 0. This makes sense, as when the projectile is
launched upwards, it comes back straight down without any horizontal displacement. For
the second experiment, the procedure was exactly the same with the exception of the
absence of any vertical displacement as the projectile was launched from the edge of the
table. The graph will be slightly different for this case, but will follow the same general
pattern.
For experiment 3, the experiment concerned investigating how vertical displacement
varies as we change the horizontal displacement. The horizontal displacement - or range -
was restricted by placing a flat table front of the projectile. y is dependent on x, as shown
in the diagram above. We plotted a graph accordingly to find the initial velocity of the
launched projectile.

The formula for finding the initial velocity is as follows:

x=v 0 cosθt
When θ=0, the formula becomes:
x=v 0 t
Which can be rearranged in terms of t:
x
t=
v0
2 1
We know the formula s=ut+ a t . When u = 0, the formula is:
2
−1 2
y= gt
2
t can be replaced by the formula calculated earlier and this can be arranged as a line
equation:
2
−1 x
y= g( )
2 v0
−g 2
y= 2 x
2 v0
−g
y=m x + c where m=
2
2
2 v0
−g
The graph of y against x 2 gives a gradient of 2 which can be used to find the initial
2 v0
velocity for this experiment.
Experiment 1: Investigating the relation between range and angle of a
projectile with vertical displacement

Apparatus:
● Mini-launcher and base (assembled)
● 16 mm steel ball
● String (for trigger)
● Collision attachment
● Carbon paper
● Meter rule
● Transparent tape

Overview:
The purpose of experiment 1 is to determine the relationship between angle of projectile ( ϕ ¿ and the
range (x). By changing the angle of the projectile, we aimed to see how the range would change
respectively. Firstly, we used a meter rule to measure the range and the vertical displacement of the
launcher from the ground. In addition to that, we used a carbon paper placed over a blank sheet to find
where the ball would hit and measure the range. Moreover, we took 3 readings and took the average to
reduce the random error in our experiment. We repeated this experiment for Θ=20 ,Θ=40 , Θ=60and
Θ=80 . After completing this experiment, we plotted a graph where angle of projectile was kept at x-axis
and range was kept at y-axis.
Procedure:
1. Assemble the launcher and base with the string and set it to 0 from the horizontal at a set fixed
height > 40cm from the ground
2. Launch the steel ball and observe the location where it lands
3. Place a blank paper underneath the carbon paper on the table approximately where the ball landed
4. Use tape to fix the papers so that they don’t move
5. Reload and launch the steel ball
6. The ball leaves a mark on the blank paper below the carbon paper, remove the carbon paper
7. Measure the distance using a meter rule from the center of the mark to the place on the table
which is perpendicular to the launcher’s launching end
8. Repeat the launch process for the same angle 3 times and calculate a mean value
9. Increase the angle by 20 degrees, and perform a test launch to see where the carbon paper should
be placed
10. Repeat the process with 40, 60 and 80 degrees
11. Keep the meter rule perpendicular to the table and measure the distance from the table to the
launcher, this is the initial height of the projectile
12. Plot a graph of range of the projectile against the initial angle from the horizontal

Table:

Angle (θ)(°) Range 1(cm) Range 2(cm) Range 3(cm) Mean Range(cm)

30 85 85 84 84.6
45 93 93 92 92.6
60 83 84 83 83.6

Calculations:
85+ 85+84
Mean Range at 3 0° = =84 .6 cm
3
93+ 93+92
Mean Range at 4 5 °= =92.6 cm
3
83+ 83+84
Mean Range at 60° = =83.6 cm
3

Results:
For this experiment, we calculated values of ranges at different angles projected from the mini launcher.
First we set the angle at some specific angle then find its range by using the meter rule. The values of
mean ranges at all angles chosen were calculated. We observed that the maximum range was at
approximately 45 degrees and the minimum range was at 90 degrees.

Discussion:
Though we tried our best to reduce the errors and uncertainties, due to the presence of non-ideal
situations, large sources of errors and indirect calculations may have been caused which led to the error of
reaching the maximum value of projectile motion at angle 40-degrees, which usually occurs at 45
degrees. We could have also taken more readings in the 35-55 degree interval to observe a more well
rounded graph around 45 degrees. To reduce the error caused by friction we could have lubricated the
steel ball. But, on the other hand, it may cause slipping on the carbon paper. We could have used a P5643
launcher for better results. Besides having the intelligence of micro-controlled actuators and sensors to
characterize and execute projectile motion according to preset values administered by the user, it also has
push buttons for the execution purpose, which is much better than pulling a string, which usually moves
the whole apparatus, increasing the uncertainty.

Experiment 2: Using the relation between horizontal and vertical

Apparatus:
● Mini-launcher and base (assembled)
● 16 mm steel ball
● String (for trigger)
● Collision attachment
● Meter rule
● Light gate
● Wooden slab
● Set square
● Carbon Paper w/ blank paper
● Transparent tape

Overview:
In experiment 3, the purpose was to find the relationship between horizontal and vertical displacement
and use these values to calculate the initial velocity. The same apparatus for experiment 1 and 2 are
needed here. But this time we used a board/slab and placed it vertically to find the vertical displacement.
Make sure the carbon paper with the blank sheet is attached to the board. By measuring the horizontal and
vertical displacement reached by the 16mm steel ball, we plotted the graph where the square of horizontal
displacement was kept at x-axis and vertical displacement at y-axis.

Procedure:
1. Assemble the launcher and base with the string and set it to 0 from the horizontal at a set fixed
height > 40cm from the ground
2. Place a meter rule starting from the point perpendicular to the projectile launcher
3. Use tape to attach carbon paper over pieces of paper all over a wooden slab
4. Place the slab vertically at the 20cm mark using a set square
5. Load and launch the steel ball
6. The ball leaves a mark on the blank paper below the carbon paper, remove the carbon paper
7. Measure the distance using a meter rule from the ground (table) to the mark vertically
8. Repeat the launch process for the same angle 3 times and calculate a mean value
9. Increase the distance by 10cm, and perform a test launch to see where the carbon paper should be
placed
10. Repeat the process with 30, 40 and 50 cm
11. Keep the meter rule perpendicular to the table and measure the distance from the table to the
launcher, this is the initial height of the projectile
12. Plot a graph of the vertical displacement of the projectile against the horizontal displacement of
the projectile

Table:
x=set horizontal displacement
h=height of mark ¿ the ground
H=height of launcher =44 cm
y=calculated vertical displacement =h−H

mean y
S. 2 2
(cm)
x (cm) x (cm )
No (h−H )

1 54 2916 13
2 64 4096 19
3 74 5474 26
Graph:
Data Analysis/ Calculations:

y 2− y 1
m=
x 2−x 1
(0.26−0.13)
¿
(0 .54−0.29)
¿ 0.47

−g
m= 2
2 v0

v 0=
√ g
−2 m

=3.22m/s
v 0=
√9.81
2(0.47)

Results:
In this experiment we used the relation between horizontal and vertical displacement to calculate the
initial velocity. We plotted the graph for the square of horizontal displacement at x axis and calculated
vertical displacement, by using the formula, h(mean)−H (launcher height ), at y axis. We found the
gradient of this graph and placed it in the formula:

v 0=
√ g
−2 m

As the value of g is known we found the initial velocity of the ball and got the value of 3.1m/s.

Discussion:
This experiment was much prone to errors compared to the other two. The reason behind this is we have
to calculate the vertical distance of the ball where it touched the carbon sheet. Random errors like not
being able to keep the slab on which carbon paper was attached at 90 degrees. To reduce this, we could
have used a proper stand, i.e. DX stand. Of course we took multiple readings to reduce random errors.