Resolution of Velocity And Projectile

Motion

Name:  

Your Partners’ Names:  

Date:  

Objective:

The objectives of this lab activity are to learn the resolution of velocity vector and study the properties
of projectile motion using both symmetrical (objects that are projected and land on the same horizontal
surface) and non-symmetrical motion (objects that are projected and land on the difference horizontal
surface) on the vertical plane.

Resolution Of Velocity (Vector)

1
 30 m/s
40 0

Picture 1

 Find x- and y- components of the following velocity (Same velocity, using different angles) in
three different ways.

a) Using the information of Picture 1.

 X -component = ___________________________

 Y -component = ___________________________

2
 30 m/s
50 0
Picture 2

b) Using the information available in Picture 2.

 X-component = ___________________________

 Y-component = ___________________________
30 m/s
140 0

c) Using the information available in Picture 3.

 X-component = ___________________________

3
  Y-component = ___________________________

d) Write comments on what you have found when you measured the x-component and y-
components of the same velocity in different ways, are the answers the same? Or different?
Why?

1. Now go to https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/projectile-motion
Click the Lab.

Picture 4
2. Range Prediction when fired horizontally from a height (At 0 0 ):

4
Picture 5
 Raise the launcher at certain Height (Your choice but keep between 5-10 meter) as shown in
figure (Above). Find out the time it should take for the steel ball to hit the ground using the
formula.
1
y f − y i=V oy + a y t 2
2
Since a y is g , and Vertical Displacement is height, using sign convention you get,
1
Height ( Y )=V oy + g t 2
2

[Use magnitude of g = 9.81 m/s2]

You know the height, initial vertical component of velocity is zero as you are launching the
projectile horizontally, so solve for time of flight now.

Initial vertical component of velocity is zero (V oy = 0).

2h
Time: t =
√ g
in seconds.

T (Time of flight) = _____________ seconds [Result A]

This time t is theoretical value expected ignoring the air friction and considering g is constant as we do
when we derived equations in projectile motion.

3. Experimental Time of Flight Measurement:

Launch the projectile with certain initial velocity in horizontal component, in the figure above
(Picture 5) it is 18 m/s but you can change it by yourself (It is necessary to record it, it will be useful
later on), put this box at the point where the projectile lands, and check the time.

Picture 6

T (Time of flight) = _____________ seconds [Result B]

5
Calculate the % difference in theoretical value and experimental value.

Result A ( Theoretical Value )−Result B (Experimental Value)

%Diff = × 100 %
Result A ( Theoretical Value )
Once you have time (t) of flight, now predict the range using the formula: The Range is the
displacement in horizontal direction.

1
Range ( R )=V ox + a x t 2
2
Note that ax = 0 (Discuss with in your group why we assume a x = 0) =>

R = v0x × t where V0X is nozzle velocity. (This is theoretical value of Range).

Use nozzle velocity and theoretical calculation of time.

Range (R) = v0x × t = _____________ m (Result C)

4. Experimental Value of Range: Shoot and find out the Experimental value of Range using the box
below again as you did for time.
Range = Experimental value = _____________ m (Result D)
Compare with your prediction. Discuss within the group (In the formal report) how accurate you
are.

Picture 7
Result C ( Theoretical Value )−Result D(experimental Value)
%Diff = × 100 %
Result C ( Theoretical Value )

5. Repeat this experiment for different heights in each trial and fill the following table. Time of
flight will change accordingly but keep the initial velocity same for all trials.

Initial Velocity (V0x) = _____________ m/s

6
Trial Height Time of flight Time of flight Predicted Range (R) Experimental Range % diff (A % diff (C

(m) (Theoretical in seconds) (Experimental) (R) and B) and D)

Range (R) = v0x × t
(A) (seconds) (B) (C) (D)

2h

1
t=
√ g

6. Prediction of Range in the Symmetrical Track of Projectile. Place the launcher so that its height is
zero. Now, Predict the range for different launching angle using equation given in the table. Use
the same initial speed for all the data points now.
Initial velocity Vi = ……………………… m/s
Table: Prediction (Do not use the launcher, use the calculator and fill the table), Use V as given in
the launcher and g = 9.81 m/s2 as usual.

Trial Launching Angle Range (In m)

V 2i sin 2 θ
g
1 150
2 250
3 350
4 450
5 550
6 900

7. Experimental Value of Range in the symmetrical track of projectile. Measure the Experimental
value of Range.

Picture 8
7
Initial velocity Vi = ……………………… m/s

Table: Experimental value (Use the launcher and record the Range in meters).

Trial Launching Angle Experimental Value of Range

(In m).

8
 1 150
2 250
3 350
4 450
5 550
6 900

Are your results here consistent with the picture shown below (Picture 9)? Note that Picture 9 is shown
for initial velocity at 50 m/s, so your range will be different, did you get the maximum range at 45 0?
What about 350 and 550 degrees?

Now, you are done, prepare a very nice formal lab and attach this work sheet in there!

Picture 9 : copy right reserved by : Serway, Raymond A. Physics For Scientists & Engineers with Modern

Picture 9

Physics. Philadelphia: Saunders College Pub., 19861983.

Going Further:

Repeat above experiments with AIR RESISTANCE ON and discuss what you observed.