Physics for Engineers 1015

LABORATORY
ACTIVITY Horizontally Launched
Projectile
No. 2
Objectives After completing this activity, you will be able to:

1. Use the physics of projectile motion to predict the

distance a horizontally launched projectile will travel
before hitting the ground
2. To determine the relationship between initial velocity
and range for a horizontally launched projectile

Time to Complete 3 Hours

EQUIPMENT NEEDED:
– Dynamics Ramp (ME-9430)
– Metric tape (SE-8712)
– Stopwatch (SE-8702)
– Marbles

Theory

Projectile motion is an example of motion with constant acceleration when air resistance is ignored. An
object becomes a projectile at the very instant it is released (fired, kicked) and is influenced only by
gravity.

The x and y components of a projectile are independent, connected only by time of flight, t. Consider
two objects at the same initial elevation. One object is launched at an angle ϴ=0° at the same moment
the second object is dropped. Two objects will land at the same time. This allows the two dimensions to
be considered separately.

To predict where a projectile will land, one must know the object’s starting position, initial velocity and
the acceleration it experiences. Position as a function of time is the described as:

1 2
s ( t )=s 0 + v 0 t + a t Eq. 1
2

Eq.1 is a vector equation; it can be resolved into x and y components:

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1 2
x=x 0 + v 0 x t + a x t Eq. 2
2

1 2
y=s 0+ v 0 y t+ a y t Eq. 3
2

Velocity changes constantly in projectile motion. While horizontal acceleration is zero for the purposes
of this experiment, the vertical component of a projectile’s velocity can be described as follows, with the
vertical acceleration due to gravity.

v y =v 0 y + a y t Eq. 4

These are the kinematic equations for constant acceleration. Taken together, they describe the motion
of projectiles and other constant-acceleration systems.

Discussion

If you know the height of a table, you can calculate the time required for a ball to fall from a table to the
floor. If you know the velocity of the ball as it leaves the table, you can calculate the distance from the
table at which the ball will hit the floor. You can find the velocity of the ball if you know the time it takes
to roll a measured distance on the table.

In this lab, you will measure the initial velocity of a projectile and the vertical distance that it will fall.
From this, you can calculate the distance from the table (the range, R) that the projectile will land.
It is easy to record the location where the projectile lands on the floor by placing a meter stick. You can
measure the horizontal range of the projectile and compare this to the calculated distance.

Procedure

1. Position the ramp so that the end of the ramp is about 1 meter from the edge of the table.
2. Find a starting point on the ramp that gives the ball a reasonable velocity. Carefully measure the
distance from the end of the ramp to the table edge. Record this distance. This is distance “d” in
the diagram above. The distance that you use needs to be a compromise.
 If the distance is too short, you will not be able to get an accurate time for the ball to
cover the distance, and your velocity will not be accurate.
 If the distance is too long, friction will slow the ball appreciably by the time it reaches
the edge of the table, and your calculated speed will not be actual speed that the ball
has when it leaves the table.
3. Carefully measure the vertical distance from the top of the lab table to the floor. Record this
distance. This is “h” in the diagram above.
4. Launch the projectile several times by rolling the ball down the ramp and across the table top.
For each launch, measure the time it takes the ball to roll the measured horizontal distance on

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the table from the bottom of the ramp to the edge of the table, and record the rolling time
(t ¿¿ roll) . ¿ Pay attention to units!
5. Locate the point on the floor directly below the edge of the table top where the ball leaves the
table. Measure the distance from this point the first landing position. This is the range of the
projectile. (“R” in the diagram above). And measure the time it takes from when the ball leaves
the table until its first landing spot and record the falling time (t ¿¿ fall ). ¿
6. Change the starting point on the ramp so that you projectile is launched at a different speed and
repeat. Take 3 sets of starting point and make 5 trials each.

Results:

1. Calculate the average rolling time (t ¿¿ roll) ¿ for your projectile to travel the measured
horizontal distance (d).
2. Calculate the speed, v x , of the projectile as it rolls across the table , ¿ ¿). This should be the
speed that the projectile has when it leaves the table. Derived from the rectilinear motion of a
uniform motion. (d =vt ).
3. Calculate the time (the falling time, t fall) it will take the ball to fall vertically from the table top to
1 2
the target. (h= g t fall ) Note: g=9.81 m/ s2 for accuracy.
2
4. Calculate the horizontal distance that the ball will go during the time it takes to fall to the target.
(R=v x t fall )
5. A good measure of comparison (between the measured and calculated ranges) is the “percent
of difference”.

Data Analysis

1st position on the ramp (d = ______ )

Trial EXPERIMENT THEORY % Diff

troll d tfall h (cm) R Vx tfall R %Diff %Diff
(sec) (cm) (sec) (cm) (cm/s) (sec) (cm) (tfall) (R)
1
2
3
ave

Table 1.1

2nd position on the ramp (d = ______ )

Trial EXPERIMENT THEORY % Diff

troll d tfall h (cm) R Vx tfall R %Diff %Diff
(sec) (cm) (sec) (cm) (cm/s) (sec) (cm) (tfall) (R)
1
2
3
ave

Table 1.2
3rd position on the ramp (d = ______ )

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Trial EXPERIMENT THEORY % Diff
troll d tfall h (cm) R Vx tfall R %Diff %Diff
(sec) (cm) (sec) (cm) (cm/s) (sec) (cm) (tfall) (R)
1
2
3
ave

Table 1.3

Questions:
1. Is there a systematic difference between the experimental and calculated values of R and tfall? If
so, suggest possible factors that would account for this difference.
2. People who have not studied physics sometime question whether the horizontal and vertical
motions of a projectile really are independent. Does this lab give you evidence to support this
concept? Support your answer.
3. Imagine that we increased the height of the ramp to 20 cm, making the ramp a much steeper
slope:
a. How would this affect the horizontal velocity of the ball off the end of the table?
b. How would it affect the drop time of the ball?
c. How would it affect the distance the ball flies?
4. Imagine that we increased the height of the table from the floor:
a. How would this affect the horizontal velocity of the ball off the end of the table?
b. How would it affect the drop time of the ball?
c. How would it affect the distance the ball flies?

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SOLUTIONS and CONCLUSION / OBSERVATIONS:

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RUBRIC FOR LABORATORY REPORT (Individual Rating)

Minimum Expectation: To receive a passing rate for your laboratory report, you must earn a total
of five (5) points for the following standards.

 The laboratory report was complete.

 The laboratory report was submitted on time.
 The laboratory report was in standard format.
 The laboratory report was handwritten.
 The laboratory report manifests uniqueness.

For every standard met will be given 1 point, a total of 5 points if all of the categories above
are met.

Grading: Laboratory report meeting the minimum expectations will be graded for content

Laboratory report content

___does not meet expectations (0.5)

___meets expectations (+1)
___exceeds expectations (+3)
___far exceeds expectations (+5)

Far Exceeds Expectations Exceeds Meets Does not Meet

Expectations Expectations Expectations
The laboratory report manifests the following The laboratory The circuit The circuit
characteristics: report construction construction
 detailed enough to allow duplication of manifests at manifests at do not
results by another least three of least one manifests any
 Reports logically coherent and sequential the characteristics of the above
 Correlation between data and theory characteristics mentioned characteristics
 Ability to recognize main sources of errors mentioned
 Critical evaluation of findings and draw
proper conclusions

Total Score:

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RUBRIC FOR ON-LABORATORY PERFORMANCE (Group Rating)

Minimum Expectation:

To receive a passing rate for you On-Lab Performance, you must earn a total of five (5) points for
the following criteria:
A. Teamwork
B. Use of Equipment
MAXIMUM
RATING POINT
ALLOTED DISTRIBUTION
CRITERIA S
POINTS
A. Teamwork 5 (5 pts.) Share responsibility, cohesion, interaction,
respect & completion of task
(4 pts.) The group clearly displays four of these
five behaviors.
(3 pts.) The group clearly displays three of these
five behaviors.
(2 pts.) The group clearly displays two of these
five behaviors.
(1 pt.) The group clearly displays one of these five
behaviors.
(0 pt.) The group or member of the group is
frequently distracted and/or distracts others from
the task at hand.
B. Use of 5
Equipment
1. Proper 3 (3pts.)Proper handling and safety precautions are
handling and above requirements
usage of the (2.5 pts.)Usage is safe for both materials and
laboratory equipment
equipment (1pt.) The equipment and/or materials are put to
and materials risk during the performance of the activity
in a manner (0pt.)Damage to materials or equipment due to
that does not improper usage
endanger the
equipment
and other
materials
2. Setup of 2 (2pts.)Proper set up of equipment and materials
equipment (1pt.)Set up will cause minor errors
and materials (0.5 pt.)Set up in non-functional manner.
Total Points Earned from A-B

Group Number: ____________

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