Projectile Motion Lab
Title
Projectile Motion
Abstract
A projectile was fired from atop an elevation and an angle. The initial velocity for each firing was likely to be the same. The distance traveled in the horizontal direction was measured for multiple firings of each trial, and the values were averaged. When the initial velocity for each of these averages was calculated it was proved that the initial velocity was relatively constant. These measurements had many possible sources of error including air resistance and firing position. This lab increased understanding of projectile motion.
Introduction
Projectile motion occurs when an object in a two dimensional plane experiences motion only due to gravity. Kinematic equations can be used to describe the components of projectile motion. This allows us to analyze the motion. In this lab measurements will be taken to determine the initial velocity of objects experiencing projectile motion. This will first be done for objects that are starting from a set elevation above the landing area. Then the initial velocity will be found for objects that are launched from the floor at an angle to a landing area of the same elevation. This will teach the concepts of projectile motion for objects that start from horizontal and objects that start at angles. Familiarity with kinematic equations will be increased through there repeated use in this lab. Also, this lab will create an understanding between the measure of the initial angle, and the distance a projectile travels in the x direction. Because the same instrument will be used to fire the projectile each time, and the projectile used will be constant, the initial velocity will likely be the same for all situations tested.
Methods
The pendulum of a ballistic pendulum was moved back so that it would not get in the way of the firing mechanism. This became the instrument that would be used to fire the projectile for this lab. This was initially place on a
Projectile Motion
Abstract
A projectile was fired from atop an elevation and an angle. The initial velocity for each firing was likely to be the same. The distance traveled in the horizontal direction was measured for multiple firings of each trial, and the values were averaged. When the initial velocity for each of these averages was calculated it was proved that the initial velocity was relatively constant. These measurements had many possible sources of error including air resistance and firing position. This lab increased understanding of projectile motion.
Introduction
Projectile motion occurs when an object in a two dimensional plane experiences motion only due to gravity. Kinematic equations can be used to describe the components of projectile motion. This allows us to analyze the motion. In this lab measurements will be taken to determine the initial velocity of objects experiencing projectile motion. This will first be done for objects that are starting from a set elevation above the landing area. Then the initial velocity will be found for objects that are launched from the floor at an angle to a landing area of the same elevation. This will teach the concepts of projectile motion for objects that start from horizontal and objects that start at angles. Familiarity with kinematic equations will be increased through there repeated use in this lab. Also, this lab will create an understanding between the measure of the initial angle, and the distance a projectile travels in the x direction. Because the same instrument will be used to fire the projectile each time, and the projectile used will be constant, the initial velocity will likely be the same for all situations tested.
Methods
The pendulum of a ballistic pendulum was moved back so that it would not get in the way of the firing mechanism. This became the instrument that would be used to fire the projectile for this lab. This was initially place on a