AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY–BANGLADESH (AIUB)

FACULTY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS
PHYSICS LAB 1
Fall 2022-2023
Section: B17, Group:6

LAB REPORT 3:
Study of projectile motion and collision.

Supervised By
Israt Kabir

Submitted By
Name ID Contribution
1.MD. ZAHIDUL ISLAM 22-49233-3 Theory, Discussion
2.KOUSHIK BISWAS ARKO 22-49234-3 Analysis & Calculation
3.MD. ANJIR JAMAN 22-49235-3 Reference
4.MD. OMAR FARUK PRODHAN 22-49237-3 Experiment Data
5.SAIDUR RAHAMAN RADIF 22-49240-3 Procedure

Date of Submission: 25 October 2022

Lab Report Department of Physics Page 1 of 9

 TABLE OF CONTENTS

TOPICS Page
no.
I. Title Page 1
II. Table of Content 2
1. Theory 3&4
2. Apparatus 4
3. Procedure 5
4. Experimental Data 6
5. Analysis and Calculation 6
6. Result 7&8
7. Discussion 8
8. References 9

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1. Theory:

Projectile Motion:

The motion of projectiles, known to mankind since the times of Archimedes, is an example of
two-dimensional motion. This motion occurs in a vertical plane defined by the direction of
launch. In the simplest case (when air resistance is neglected and motion occurs close to the
surface of earth), the projected body experiences a uniform acceleration along the vertical
direction and a uniform velocity along the horizontal direction.
The trajectory of a projectile is parabolic as the fig. 3.1 shows. A study on projectile motion
helps in a thorough understanding of the basic concepts in kinematics like accelerated motion,
uniform motion, equations of motion and so on.

Figure 3.1: The parabolic trajectory of a projectile

In the fig we saw that parabolic trajectory of a projectile in the x-y plane. We throw projectile with an initial
velocity 𝑣𝑜 and angle θ with the x axis. Here we define R and H which are represent the range and maximum
height of the projectile, respectively.

Collision:

We know that collision occur when one object hits on anther object. We are familiar with two types of
collision. Inelastic collision and Elastic collision. When inelastic collision occur then only momentum
preserved. But when Elastic collision occur then momentum and kinetic energy preserved.
The figure which is the bellow show the elastic collision between a ball and a fixed smooth surface.

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 Figure 3.2: An elastic collision between a smooth ball and a table

In the figure we saw an elastic collision between a smooth ball and a table. After the collision velocities are
same as before. We know that for an elastic collision, both the momentum and kinetic energy are conserved.
We can impulse in any dimension (x or y) which defined as

Impulse, J = Change in momentum, Δ p = 𝑝𝑓 − 𝑝𝑖

where 𝑝𝑖 and 𝑝𝑓 are the initial and final momentum, respectively.

2. Apparatus

1. Marble
2. Ramp
3. Clamp
4. Recording paper
5. Carbon paper
6. Meter scale
7. Weighing scale

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3. Procedure
1. Firstly, we set up the apparatus as like shown in fig. 3.3. We properly make sure that the end of the
ramp looks level with the table. Otherwise, we will not get the perfect result of our expectation. Then
we lay down a piece of recording paper on the floor and next we place a sheet of carbon paper on top.
So, each bounce of the ball will leave a mark on the recording paper.

2. Once the apparatus is fixed perfectly, then we do not move the recording paper until the data collection
is completed. If we do that, we will not get the ideal value. However, our carbon paper can be lifted at
any time to inspect the collision points. The we locate the position O on the floor using the marble ball
and collect measure the distance from O to a reference point on the recording paper. After doing that,
this allows the paper to be moved after the data collection is completed to a more suitable location for
the measurements of S1 and S2.

3. So, after collect the data, we release the ball from a point near the top of the ramp, being careful not to
impart spin on the ball. Because this allows us to find the ball to roll down the ramp and bounce on the
floor with minimal spin. We do that procedure repeatedly 10 times always releasing ball from the same
point on the ramp.

4. Finally, we get the measure of the heights h and H with the help of a meter scale as accurately as
possible.

5. From the recording paper, we obtain the average values of S1 and S2 in the following way. By eye, we
able to determine the circular region that include most of the marks on the paper (ignore any points that
are obviously anomalous). Next, we draw the accurate circle around this region. Then we determinate
to take the center of the circles for S1 and S2. So, the radius of the circles as the uncertainties in S1 and
S2.

6. At last, we measure the mass of marble.

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4. Experimental Data

Average Uncertainty Average uncertainty Mass of

Height Height
distance, in Distance, in Marble m
h (cm) H (cm)
S1 (cm) S1 (cm) S2 (cm) S2 (cm) (gm)

53 25 32.7 2.1 80.4 3.5 5.1

5. Analysis
The horizontal velocity Vx of the ball before impact at A equals the horizontal velocity immediately after
the rebounds from A. This is a good assumption providing the working table-floor is smooth. Using table-
3.2 according to the fig-3.3 to calculate the quantities in table-3.3 and table-3.4.

Projectile (two-dimensional) motion

Straight line
(One dimensional) Horizontal Vertical
Quantity
Motion Component Component

Initial velocity U v0x=v0cos𝜃0 v0y=v0sin𝜃0

Acceleration a ax=0 ay=-g

Velocity at any v = u+at vy=v0y-gt

vx=v0x
point v2=u2+2as vy2=v0y2-2gy

s = vt (constant
velocity) 1
Distance x = v0xt y = v0yt – 2 gt2
1
s = ut + 2at2

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6. Result

Corresponding
SN Quantities Values with Units
Equations
1 Time for the ball to leave the ramp and 2ℎ 2ℎ 2×53
t=√𝑔 t = √ 𝑔 , t = √ 980
hit the point A
0.328882 s

2 Constant Horizontal velocity of the vx = 𝑠 vx =

𝑠1
, vx =
32.7
𝑡 𝑡 0.33
ball
99.43 cm/s

3 Vertical velocity just before it strikes vy = -gt vy = -gt, vy = -980×0.328882

the point A
322.3044 cm/s

4 Velocity of the ball just before it |v| = √(𝑣𝑥 )2 + (𝑣𝑦 )2

|v| = √(𝑣𝑥 )2 + (𝑣𝑦 )2
strikes the point A in vector form |v|=√(99.43)2 + (322.3044)2
𝑣
Ѳ= tan-1 (𝑣𝑦 ) |v|=337.29283 cm/s
𝑥
𝑣
Ѳ = tan-1 ( 𝑦 )
𝑣𝑥
322.3044
Ѳ= tan-1 ( 99.43 )

Ѳ = 72.8552⁰

5 Range of the second projectile = R = S2 – S1 R = S2 – S1

Distance between point A and B R =80.4 – 32.7

47.7 cm

6 Time of the ball spends between point tAB= 𝑅 𝑅

tAB= 𝑣 , tAB= 99.43
47.7
𝑣𝑥 𝑥
A and B
0.48 s

7 Maximum height for the projectile H= 𝑔 (𝑡𝐴𝐵 )2 H=

𝑔
(
𝑡𝐴𝐵 2
) ,
2 2 2 2
between point A and B 980 0.48 2
H= 2
( 2
)

28.224 cm

Table 3.3: Some basic quantities related with projectile motion

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 SN Quantities Corresponding Values with Units
Equations
1 Magnitude of the velocity |v| = √(𝑣𝑥 )2 + (𝑣𝑦 )2 |v| = √(𝑣𝑥 )2 + (𝑣𝑦 )2
before/after impact at point A |v|=√(99.43)2 + (322.3044)2
|v|=337.29283 cm/s

2 The angle that the ball makes with Ѳ = tan-1 (𝑣𝑦 ) 𝑣

Ѳ = tan-1 (𝑣𝑦 )
𝑣 𝑥 𝑥
the surface just before/after the 322.3044
Ѳ= tan-1 ( 99.43 )
collision at point A
Ѳ = 72.8552⁰

3 Kinetic energy of the ball before k.Ei = 1 m|v|2 1

k.Ei = 2 m|v|2
2
the collision at A 1
k.Ei = 2 ×5.1|337.29283 |2

290104.456 gcm2s-2

4 Kinetic energy of the ball after the k.Ef = 1 m|v|2 1

k.Ef = m|v|2
2 2
collision at A 1
k.Ef = 2 ×5.1|337.29283 |2

290104.456 gcm2s-2

5 Horizontal impulse that the floor Jx = Pix - Pfx Jx = Pix - Pfx

gives to the ball 0 gcm/s

6 Vertical impulse that the floor Jy = Piy - Pfy Jy = Piy - Pfy

gives to the ball 1643.8 gcm/s

Table 3.4: Some basic quantities related with elastic collision between ball and the fixed surface.

7. Discussion
It is normal thing that if we going to do some experiment, we face some difficulties. Here we also face
some difficulties. Most of the uncertainty in recording time of flight came from deciding the time for
the first data point when the ball is in the air and the last data point before it hit the ground. We estimated
that we could be off by one frame. To get a better estimate of this uncertainty, we repeated each
measurement many times. The average deviation served as our experimental uncertainty. Our
experiment indicates that the time of flight is independent of the ball’s initial horizontal velocity.
Air resistance was another obstacle while taking the value. Sometimes we were unable to find out
the accurate value. After doing everything properly we were able to get every measure value perfectly
and do the experiment accurately.

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8. References
➢ Fundamental of Physics (10th Edition): Projectile motion (Chapter 4, page 70- 75),
Collision and Impulse (Chapter 9, page 266)

• Video Links:

➢ Projectile motion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMVBc8cE5GU

➢ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZZt357pkI&list=RDCMUCX1Hh7CvEc3RUd4NRBWJ
Mw
➢ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtfVZdpHZ9o
➢ Collision: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZm-DcO2JfA

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