SCHOOL OF PHYSICS

UNIVERSITI SAINS MALAYSIA

ZCT191/192 PHYSICS PRACTICAL I/II

1GP2 PROJECTILE MOTION
Lab Manual

OBJECTIVES

1. To determine the projectile range as a function of inclination angle;

2. To determine the maximum height of projection as a function of projection angle;
3. To estimate the value of the gravitational acceleration of the Earth; and
4. To determine the maximum projectile range as a function of initial speed.
ZCT191/192 Physics Practical I/II 1GP2 Projectile Motion

THEORY

Introduction
In this experiment, we will study the projectile motion of a steel ball using PHYWE’s Projectile
Motion experiment set. A steel ball is fired by a spring at different velocities and at different
angles to the horizontal. Using the data collected, we will investigate the relationship between
the range, height of projection, angle of projection and initial speed of the projectile.

Projectile Motion

Figure 1: Movement of a mass point under the effect of gravitational force.

If a body of mass 𝑚 moves in a constant gravitational field (gravitational force 𝑚𝑔⃗), the motion
lies in a plane (Figure 1). If the coordinate system is laid in this 𝑥-𝑦 plane, the equation of
motion 𝑟⃗(𝑡) is
𝑑2
𝑚 2 𝑟⃗(𝑡) = 𝑚𝑔⃗. (1)
𝑑𝑡
If 𝑟⃗ = (𝑥, 𝑦) and 𝑔⃗ = (0, −𝑔) , and the initial position and velocity are 𝑟⃗(0) = (0,0) and
𝑣⃗ (0) = (𝑣0 cos 𝜙 , 𝑣0 sin 𝜙), we obtain the coordinates as a function of time 𝑡,
𝑥 (𝑡) = 𝑣0 𝑡 cos 𝜙
1 (2)
𝑦(𝑡) = 𝑣0 𝑡 sin 𝜙 − 𝑔𝑡 2 .
2

From this, the maximum height of projection ℎ is obtained as a function of the angle of
projection 𝜙,
𝑣02
ℎ= sin2 𝜙, (3)
2𝑔
and the maximum range 𝑠 is
𝑣02
𝑠= sin 2𝜙. (4)
𝑔

Figure 2 shows the maximum height as a function of projection angle, and we see that the
higher the initial velocity, the higher the maximum height. On the other hand, the maximum
range is reached at the projection angle of 45° for every initial velocity, as shown in Figure 3.
By choosing a logarithmic scale, a regression line can be applied to the measured data and used
to determine the maximum range for arbitrary initial velocities (Figure 4).

2
ZCT191/192 Physics Practical I/II 1GP2 Projectile Motion

Figure 2: Maximum height of projection ℎ as a Figure 3: Maximum range 𝑠 as a function of angle of

function of angle of projection 𝜙 at different initial projection 𝜙 at different initial velocities 𝑣0 .
velocities 𝑣0 .

Figure 4: Maximum range 𝑠 as a function of initial speed 𝑣0 with a fixed angle of projection 𝜙 = 45°.

3
ZCT191/192 Physics Practical I/II 1GP2 Projectile Motion

EQUIPMENT

1. Ballistic unit
2. Recording paper (1 roll, 25 m)
3. Steel ball (𝑑 = 19 mm)
4. Two-tier platform support
5. Scale on rod (𝑙 = 750 mm)
6. Barrel base expert
7. Speed measuring attachment
8. Power supply (5 V DC/4 A)

Steel ball

Speed
measuring
Recording
attachment
paper

Two-tier
platform

Ballistic unit

Figure 5: PHYWE’s Projectile Motion experiment setup.

Figure 5 shows the experiment setup used in this study. The experiment setup consists of four
main parts:
1. The ballistic unit, which launches the steel and wooden ball. It contains a spring with three
adjustable tension stages, each corresponding to a different initial firing speed of the
projectile.
2. The speed measuring attachment, which measures the initial speed of the projectile.
3. The two-tier platform support and recording paper, which are used to mark the location
where the projectile lands so that the range can be determined.
4. The scale / ruler (not shown in Figure 5), which is placed vertically so that the maximum
height of the projection can be measured.

4
ZCT191/192 Physics Practical I/II 1GP2 Projectile Motion

PROCEDURE

Two experiments will be carried out in this study: Part A in the first week and Part B in the
second week.

Part A: Gravitational Acceleration of the Earth

Measurement
1. Prepare the setup as shown in Figure 5.
To mark the points of impact, secure the recording strip to the bench with adhesive tape.
To measure the height of projection, clamp the meter scale in the barrel base and move it
parallel to the plane of projection. The heights of projection can be determined
ballistically quite well by eye. Also, an empty box can be placed behind the bench to catch
the ball.
2. Place the steel ball on the striker in the ballistic unit and pull the firing spring to the first
tension stage (which corresponds to the first initial speed, 𝑣0,1).
3. Measure the distance between the striker and the centre between the light barriers (𝑑)
and record its value in Table 1.
4. Adjust the ballistic unit so that the angle of projection on the scale reads 𝜙 = 25°.
5. Fire the steel ball and record its range (𝑠) and height of projection (ℎ) in Table 1. Also
record the initial firing speed of the steel ball as displayed on the speed measuring
attachment (𝑣exp ).
6. Repeat Steps 4–5, but with the angles of projection 𝜙 = 35°, 45°, 55° and 65°.
7. Repeat Steps 2–6 but with the second and third tension stages (which correspond to the
second and third initial velocities, 𝑣0,2 and 𝑣0,3, respectively).

Analysis
1. Calculate the actual initial speeds (𝑣0 ) for their corresponding experimental values (𝑣exp).
𝑣0 is given by the equation

2 + 𝑔𝑑 sin 𝜙.
𝑣0 = √𝑣exp (1)

This is required as the experimental initial speeds do not take into account the time taken
for the ball to cover the measuring distance. Depending on the angle of inclination, the ball
already leaves the light barrier with a reduced speed.
2. Plot the graph of maximum range (𝑠) vs. angle of projection (𝜙) for each initial velocity.
3. Plot the graph of maximum height of projection (ℎ) vs. angle of projection (𝜙) for each
initial velocity.
4. Using the data collected for 𝑠 vs. 𝜙 and ℎ vs. 𝜙, plot two additional linear graphs to obtain
the value of gravitational acceleration (𝑔).

5
ZCT191/192 Physics Practical I/II 1GP2 Projectile Motion

Table 1: Data for Part A.

Angle of Height of Experimental Actual Initial
Range,
Projection, Projection, Initial Speed, Speed,
𝒔 (m)
𝝓 𝒉 (m) 𝒗𝐞𝐱𝐩 (𝐦 𝐬 −𝟏) 𝒗𝟎 (𝐦 𝐬 −𝟏)
First initial speed, 𝑣0,1 (m s )
−1
[Distance, 𝑑1 = m]
25°
35°
45°
55°
65°
Second initial speed, 𝑣0,2 (m s−1 ) [Distance, 𝑑2 = m]
25°
35°
45°
55°
65°
Third initial speed, 𝑣0,3 (m s−1 ) [Distance, 𝑑3 = m]
25°
35°
45°
55°
65°

Part B: Maximum Range vs. Initial Speed

Measurement
1. Prepare the same setup as in Part A.
2. Place the steel ball on the striker in the ballistic unit and pull the firing spring to the first
tension stage (which corresponds to the first initial speed, 𝑣0,1).
3. Measure the distance between the striker and the centre between the light barriers (𝑑)
and record its value in Table 2.
4. Adjust the ballistic unit so that the angle of projection on the scale reads 𝜙 = 45°.
5. Fire the steel ball and measure its range (𝑠). Also record the initial firing speed of the steel
ball as displayed on the speed measuring attachment.
6. Repeat Steps 2–5 but with the second and third tension stages (which correspond to the
second and third initial velocities, 𝑣0,2 and 𝑣0,3, respectively).

Analysis
1. Calculate the actual initial speeds (𝑣0 ) for their corresponding experimental values (𝑣exp).
2. Plot the graph of maximum range (𝑠) vs. initial speed (𝑣0 ).

Table 2: Data for Part B.

Experimental Actual Initial
Distance, Range,
Initial Speed, Speed,
𝒅 (m) 𝒔 (m)
𝒗𝐞𝐱𝐩 (𝐦 𝐬 −𝟏) 𝒗𝟎 (𝐦 𝐬 −𝟏)

6
ZCT191/192 Physics Practical I/II 1GP2 Projectile Motion

REFERENCES

1. PHYWE (2019). Student’s Sheet for Projectile Motion (P2131100).

2. PhysChem EMU (2020). EMU Physics Department: “Projectile Motion” Experiment.
Retrieved 5 Aug 2021 from youtube.com.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This lab manual was originally created by Dr. Edmund Loh Wai Ming in 2021. This manual was
revised and standardised by Dr. John Soo Yue Han in 2021.

Last updated: 03 April 2022 (JSYH)