NAME: Oneilia Yearde

DATE: November 18, 2022

PARTNERS: Nathan Harris, Beanca Ellis

TITLE: Projectile Motion

PURPOSE: The purpose of the lab is to measure the velocity of a ball using two photogates
and a computer software for timing. The objective is to apply concepts from two-dimensional
kinematics to predict the impact point of a ball in projectile motion while taking into account
trial-to-trial variations in the velocity measurements when calculating the impact point.

THEORY: Two-dimensional motion is when objects move simultaneously in both the x- and
y-directions under constant acceleration. An important special case of this two-dimensional
motion is called projectile motion. The horizontal and vertical motion are completely
independent of each other. We assume that at t=0 the projectile leaves the origin with an
initial vector velocity v0 and the angle is makes with the horizontal axis is called the
projectile angle, θ0. From this, we can then get the equations:

V0x = v0 cos θ0 V0y = v0 sin θ0

In the x-direction with ax constant, we have:

Vx = v0x + axt
Δx = v0xt + ½ axt2
Vx2 = v0x2 + 2axΔx

In the y-direction with ay constant, we have:

Vy = v0y + ayt
Δy = v0yt + ½ ayt2
Vy2 = v0y2 + 2ayΔy

The magnitude of the object’s speed, v, can be determined by the equation:

V = √vx2 + vy2

The direction of the vector, v, can be determined by:

θ = tan-1( vy/vx)

For projectiles close to the earth, the horizontal displacement is:

Δx = v0xt
= (v0 cos θ0) t

In the y direction, we make the substitution ay = -g and v0y = v0 sin θ0

vy = v0 sin θ0 – gt
Δy = (v0 sin θ0) t - ½ gt2
vy2= (v0 sin θ0)2 - 2g Δy

HYPOTHESIS: The ball will roll off the ramp and fall into a cup that is placed at the distance
calculated for the predicted impact point of 0.35 m.

PRELIMINARY QUESTIONS:

1. If you were to drop a ball, releasing it from rest, what information would be needed to
predict how much time it would take for the ball to hit the floor? What assumptions must you
make?
- The velocity of the ball and the height the ball drops form would need to be known
assuming there is no air resistance and that:
Pe = mgh

Ke = ½mv2

2. If the ball in Question 1 is traveling at a known horizontal velocity when it starts to fall,
explain how you would calculate how far it will travel before it hits the ground.
- Multiply the horizontal velocity by the time it takes to hit the ground and this gives the
horizontal distance.

3. A pair of computer-interfaced Photogates can be used to accurately measure the time

interval for an object to break the beam of one Photogate and then another. If you wanted to
know the velocity of the object, what additional information would you need?
- You would need the direction of the object and the distance between the photogates.

METHODS AND PROCEDURE: Materials: computer, plumb bob, Vernier computer

interface, ramp, Logger Pro, two ring stands, two Vernier Photogates, two right-angle clamps,
ball (1 to 5 cm diameter), meter stick or metric measuring tape, masking tape, target.

A low ramp made of angle molding on a table was set up so that a ball can roll down
the ramp, across a short section of table, and off the table edge as shown in Figure 1. The
photogates were positioned so the ball rolls through each of the Photogates while rolling on
the horizontal table surface (but not on the ramp). The detection line of each photogate was
approximately centered on the middle of the ball. Photogate 1 to DIG/SONIC 1 of the
interface and Photogate 2 to the corresponding second port was connected. To prevent
accidental movement of the Photogates, tape was used to secure the ring stands in place. A
starting position was marked on the ramp so that the ball can be repeatedly rolled from the
same place. The ball was rolled down the ramp through each Photogate and off the table. The
ball was caught as soon as it left the table. Note: The ball was not allowed to hit the floor
during these trials or during the following velocity measurements. The ball was ensured not
to strike the sides of the Photogates and they were repositioned if necessary. The file “08
Projectile Motion” was opened in the Physics with Vernier folder. A data table and two
graphs were displayed; one graph showed the time required for the ball to pass through the
Photogates for each trial and the other displayed the velocity of the object for each trial. The
distance, Δs, between Photogates was be entered in order for Logger Pro to calculate the
velocity. The program divided this distance by the time interval Δt it measured to get the
velocity (v = Δs/Δt). The distance was carefully measured from the beam of Photogate 1 to
the beam of Photogate 2. (It was easier to measure from the leading edge of Photogate 1 to
the leading edge of Photogate 2.) To successfully predict the impact point, an accurate
measurement was entered. The gate separation was adjusted using the control on the Logger
Pro screen. Collect was clicked to check to see that the Photogates were responding properly
by moving a finger through Photogate 1 and then Photogate 2. Logger Pro plotted a time
interval (Dt) value for each instance the finger ran through Photogate 1 or Photogate 2.Stop
was clicked then collect was clicked again, to clear the trial data and prepare for data
collection. The ball was rolled from the mark on the ramp, through both Photogates, and the
ball was caught immediately after it left the table. This was repeated nine times. Care was
taken not to bump any of the Photogates, or the velocity data would not have been precise.
Data collection stopped after two minutes. If more time is needed, collect was clicked to
restart, Append was chosen. After the last trial, stop was clicked to end data collection. The
velocity for each trial number in the data table was recorded. The velocity data was inspected
and the same value was not collected each time.
The average, maximum, and minimum values was determined by clicking once on the
velocity vs. time graph and then clicking the Statistics button. The average value was most
representative of all ten measurements. The distance from the table top to the floor was
carefully measured and recorded as the table height h in the data table. A plumb bob was used
to locate the point on the floor just beneath the point where the ball left the table. This point
was marked with tape; it served as the floor origin. The velocity value was used to calculate
the distance from the floor origin to the impact point where the ball hit the floor.
Relationships for motion with constant acceleration was algebraically combined giving:
Δx = v0xt + ½ axt2
Δy = v0yt + ½ ayt2
First, the equations above were simplified. The initial velocity in the vertical direction
(voy), the acceleration in the horizontal direction (ax) and the acceleration in the vertical
direction (ay) and the simplified equations were used to calculate how far the ball traveled
horizontally during the fall. The predicted impact point on the floor was marked with tape
and a target was positioned at the predicted impact point. The impact point was ensured to be
along the line of the track. To account for the variations that were seen in the Photogate
velocity measurements, the calculation in Step 10 was repeated for the minimum and
maximum velocity. These two additional points showed the limits of impact range that might
have been expected, considering the variation in the velocity measurement. These points were
marked on the floor as well. After the instructor gave permission, the ball was released from
the marked starting point, and the ball was allowed to be rolled off the table and onto the
floor. The point of impact was marked with tape. The distance was measured from the floor
origin to the actual impact and the distance entered in the data table.

CALCULATIONS AND ANALYSIS OF DATA:

TABLE SHOWING 10 VALUES FOR VELOCITY CALCULATED BY THE PHOTOGATES

Trial Velocity(m/s)

1 0.8160

2 0.8100

3 0.8210

4 0.8001
 5 0.8040

6 0.8206

7 0.8090

8 0.7997

9 0.8004

10 0.8120

TABLE SHOWING CALCULATIONS OBTAINED FROM EXPERIEMENT

Maximum Velocity 0.8206 m/s

Minimum Velocity 0.7997 m/s

Average Velocity 0.8092 m/s

Table Height 0.92 m

Predicted Impact Point Distance 0.35 m

Minimum Impact Point Distance 0.35 m

Maximum Impact Point Distance 0.36 m

Actual Impact Point Distance 0.37 m

H = ½ gt2
0.92 = ½ 9.81 t2

∴ t = 0.433 s

Predicted impact point = Vo x t

= 0.8092 x 0.433
= 0.35 m

Minimum impact point = Vmin x t

= 0.7997 x 0.433
= 0.35 m

Minimum impact point = Vmax x t

= 0.8206 x 0.433
= 0.36 m

Percentage Error = | Actual Impact Point Distance - Predicted impact point distance | x100
Predicted Impact Point Distance
= | 0.37 – 0.35 | x100
0.35
 = 5.7 %

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: For this experiment, a numerical prediction would

not be exact as there will be errors due to human reaction and other things. A range would be
more appropriate as it shows us the interval of distance where the ball would actually go and
also plus or minus that distance which account for the variations that were seen in the
Photogate velocity measurements. The impact point obtained was 0.37m which did not fall
into the minimum and maximum range of impact prediction which means my prediction was
unsuccessful. The percentage error obtained was 5.7% and this is due to errors that many
have occurred like not putting the ball at the same start position each time. This error was
however very small and so the prediction can be said to be acceptable. Other measurements
such as air resistance and friction are forces that could affect the range prediction. Air
resistance was not accounted for in the experiment and if that were then the impact the range
of distance would get is that it would be reduced because a negative acceleration would get
added to the motion. In conclusion, the hypothesis was not proven to be true as the actual
value for the impact distance, 0.37m, was higher than the predicted value of 0.35m.

REFERENCES:
Serway RA. 2017. College Physics. Brooks Cole.