Purpose:

Basically this activity was based on three major objectives:

1. By using a projectile launcher calculate the initial velocity of a ball shot horizontally.

2. Identify the angle of projection that will generate the maximum rate.

3. By using a set angle identify the average rate of the projection of the ball.

Theory:

It is important to give a definition of a projectile. A projectile is an object able to travel

under the force of gravity. The movement of a projectile experiences is a constant speed in the

horizontal direction as well as a constant acceleration downward in the vertical direction. This
𝑚
acceleration is due to gravity, so a = (-9.8 2 ).
𝑠

By using some kinematics equations we can compute the position and velocity of the

trajectory of a projectile. It can be either horizontal motion or vertical motion. For horizontal

motion we can use this equation in order to determine the position ∆𝑥 = 𝑣0𝑥 𝑡 due to the fact that

gravity is not acting in the x component. For Vertical motion we can use this formula to calculate
1
the position of the object ∆𝑦 = 𝑣𝑜𝑦 𝑡 + 2 𝑎𝑡 2

The velocity in a horizontal direction is constant due to the fact that the acceleration is

apply in the vertical direction. Therefore, the velocity in vertical direction is given by this linear

expression 𝑣𝑦 = 𝑣𝑜𝑦 + 𝑎𝑡.When the object reaches its maximum height its vertical velocity is

𝑚
zero, but its acceleration still be gravity a = (-9.8𝑠2 ).
 Additionally, when a projectile is launched a certain angle in order to calculate the

vertical and horizontal velocities we should use trigonometry.

𝑣𝑥 = 𝑣𝑜𝑥 (𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃)

𝑣𝑦 = 𝑣𝑜𝑦 (𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃)

At flat angle it will go faster in the horizontal direction than it does at steep angle.

The total velocity of the projectile can be computed by adding the velocity in the x component

and the velocity in the y component using the Pythagorean Theorem.

𝑣 = √𝑣𝑥2 + 𝑣𝑦2

As an illustration, if we throw a ball from a certain angle. The motion of that ball will be

describe as a parabola. In fact, there are going to be two forces acting on that ball at different

times. The contact force and the gravity force, but once the ball is in the air the only force acting

on it is gravity.

The position of the ball in the horizontal direction is described by this equation∆𝑥 = 𝑣𝑜𝑥 𝑡 +
1
𝑎𝑡 2 , but in this case a=0. Therefore, ∆𝑥 = 𝑣0𝑥 𝑡 .
2
The graph of the position vs time of the ball in the vertical direction will be a parabola that opens

down. The position of the ball will increases until it reaches its maximum height, and then it will

decreases, and come back to its original position. In this case, the acceleration, which is gravity,
𝑚
will have components in y, so a= g= -9.8 2 . Therefore, the position of the ball will be given by
𝑠

1 1
this equation ∆𝑦 = 𝑣𝑜𝑦 𝑡 + 2 𝑎𝑡 2 𝑦𝑓 = 𝑦𝑖+ 𝑣𝑜𝑦 𝑡 + 2 𝑎𝑡 2

The graph of the velocity vs time in the horizontal direction will be a straight line due to

the fact that the ball is not accelerating. It has a constant velocity. Also, we know that velocity is
the derivative of position, and the position of the in the horizontal direction was given by

∆𝑥 = 𝑣0 𝑡. Therefore, 𝑣𝑥 = 𝐶where C is a constant.

The graph of velocity vs time in the vertical direction is an inclined line. As we already

know velocity is the derivative of position, and the position of the ball in the vertical direction
1 1
was given by the quadratic equation ∆𝑦 = 𝑣0𝑦 𝑡+2 𝑎𝑡 2 = 𝑦𝑓 = 𝑦𝑖+ 𝑣𝑜𝑦 𝑡 + 2 𝑎𝑡 2 Therefore, the

𝑑𝑦
derivative of a quadratic equation is a linear expression. = 𝑣0 + 𝑎𝑡 , so 𝑣𝑦 = 𝑣0 + 𝑎𝑡
𝑑𝑡

Additionally, it is important to mention that first the velocity increases, and then it decreases.

I. Identify the Angle of Maximum Range

Procedure
 1. Fasten the projectile launcher to a stool.
2. One member of the group should set the projectile at 30 degrees angle, and then start
adding 5 degrees until the projection angle is 50 degrees. Therefore, the projection angle
will go from 30 degrees to 50 degrees.
3. The other member should record the distance travel for the projectile (ball) after it is
fired. To do so this member should use a piece of white paper and a carbon sheet.
4. The white paper and the carbon sheet should be placed on the floor in order to record
where the projectile lands.

Data

Angle of Projection (○) Range of Motion (m)

30 2.81

35 2.88

40 2.93

45 2.86

50 2.73

Analysis: The maximum range was gotten at the angle 40 degrees. The maximum range was

2.93m. We made a comparison between each range, and we concluded that the distances from

the launcher to the place of lands was continually increasing until it reaches 40 degrees. After

that, the distance started to decreases.

 II. Calculate the Initial Velocity:

Procedure

1. Set the projectile launcher at 𝜃 = 0 which can allow us to fire the ball straight out.

2. Use again a white sheet and a carbon sheet. Place them on the floor in order to record the

landing of the ball.

3. Verify that the ball leave a mark on the white paper after the projectile is fire each time.

4. The projectile should be fired five times.

5. By using a meter measure the distance from the launcher to where the ball lands, and then

calculate the average

Data

Trial X (m)

1 1.97

2 1.96

3 1.93

4 1.97

5 1.98

Δx 1.97

Thus, Δx = 1.97m which is the horizontal distance traveled for the ball, and Δy = 0.92m

is the vertical distance from what the ball falls.

 To calculate the initial velocity release from the launcher it is necessary to use a
1 𝛥𝑥
cinematic equation. Δy is given by this equation Δy = 2g𝑡𝑦2 . However, we know t = 𝑉𝑥

1 ∆𝑥 2
provided that 𝑡𝑥 = 𝑡𝑦 = 𝑡. Therefore, it is possible to solve this equation Δy = 2g( 𝑉 2 ) for
𝑥

𝑚
1 ∆𝑥 2 ∆𝑥 2 𝑔 (1.97𝑚)2 (9.8 2 ) 𝑚
Vx. Therefore, Δy= 2g( 𝑉 2 ) = 𝑉𝑥 = √ 2∆𝑦 𝑉𝑥 = √ 𝑠
𝑉𝑥 = 4.55
𝑥 2(0.92𝑚) 𝑠

III. Estimate and Measure the Range at a Particular Angle θ

Procedure

1. Predict the velocity, position and time in the vertical direction by using trigonometry and

an appropriate kinematics equation.

Data

By using trigonometry it is possible to determine the components in y and x of the initial

velocity.

𝑣𝑥 = 𝑣𝑜𝑥 (𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃)

𝑣𝑦 = 𝑣𝑜𝑦 (𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃)

𝑚
𝑣𝑥 = (4.55 𝑠 )(cos40) = 𝑣𝑥 = 3.48

𝑚 𝑚
𝑣𝑦 = (4.55 𝑠 )(sin40) = 𝑣𝑦 = 2.93 𝑠
The time of flight is given by

1
𝑦 = 𝑦𝑜 + 𝑣𝑜𝑦 𝑡 − 𝑔𝑡 2
2

𝑦 = 0 Because the ball hits the ground at the end. Therefore, we can use this equation and solve

for t.

At 𝜃 = 40 degrees

𝑚
𝑣𝑦𝑜 = 2. 93 𝑠

𝑦𝑜 = 0.92m

1
0 = 𝑦𝑜 + 𝑣𝑜𝑦 𝑡 − 2 𝑔𝑡 2

𝑚
0 = (0.92𝑚) + 2.93 𝑡 − 4.9𝑡 2
𝑠

−𝑏±√𝑏 2 −4𝑎𝑐
Thus, we can use the quadratic formula where a = 4.9, b= -2.93, and c =0.92
2𝑎

(2.93)2 − 4(4.9)(0.92)
𝑡 = (2.93) ± √
2(4.9)

𝑡 = 0.825𝑠

∆𝑥 = 𝑣𝑥𝑜 𝑡

𝑚
∆𝑥 = (3.48 )(0.825𝑠)
𝑠

𝑚
∆𝑥 = 2.87
𝑠
Analysis: we end with a quadratic equation which describes the path of travel for the object. In

this cases it is a parabola. We used this equation to solve for t, and when we take the square root

of something we will get two answer one positive and the other negative. The negative time

represents the time before the motion starts.

Procedure

1. Set you projectile launcher at you chosen angel.

2. Fire the ball five times.

3. Compute the average range.

4. Compared the measured value to the predicted one.

Data

θ = 40 degrees

Trial Range (m)

1 2.93

2 2.935

3 2.89

4 2.92

5 2.94

Average 2.923
Analysis

If we compare the measured range to the predicted one, we will get the fallowing percent error.

(2.87)−(2.923)
% error = | |x 100 = 1.52%
(2.87)

If the initial velocity is doubled, the range will be this

∆𝑥
𝑣=
∆𝑡

𝑣0 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 ± √𝑣𝑜2 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 2 + 2𝑔𝑦

∆𝑡 =
𝑔

𝑣0 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃±√𝑣𝑜2 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃2 +2𝑔𝑦

∆𝑥 = 𝑣0 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 ( )
𝑔

𝑣0 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 + 𝑣0 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
∆𝑥 = 𝑣𝑜 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃( )
𝑔

2𝑣0 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
∆𝑥 = 𝑣𝑜 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃( )
𝑔

2𝑣𝑜 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
∆𝑥 =
𝑔

2(2𝑣0 )2 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
∆𝑥 =
𝑔
 8𝑣𝑜2 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
∆𝑥 =
𝑔

8𝑣2
𝑜 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
𝑔
Range = 2𝑣2
𝑜 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
𝑔

Range = 4

If the lab stool is twice as high, the range will change in this way:

𝑣0 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 ± √𝑣𝑜2 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 2 + 2𝑔(2𝑦)

∆𝑥 = 𝑣0 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃( )
𝑔

0 ± √0 + 2𝑔(2𝑦)
∆𝑥 = 𝑣0 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃( )
𝑔

∆𝑥 = 𝑣0 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃√4(𝑦)

∆𝑥 = 𝑣0 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃2√(𝑦)

𝑣0 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃2√(𝑦)
Range:
𝑣0 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃√2(𝑦)

2
Range:
√2

Analysis some sources of error of this experiment was the method used to record the lands of the

ball. The paper was not properly attach to the floor, so in this case the distances that we measure

from the experiment may vary a little from the calculated ones.
Conclusion

A projectile motion can be classify into motion in horizontal direction, and motion in vertical
1
direction. Position in a vertical motion is given by this equation 𝑦𝑓 = 𝑦𝑖+ 𝑣𝑜𝑦 𝑡 + 2 𝑎𝑡 2 , the

velocity in the vertical direction is given by 𝑣𝑦 = 𝑣𝑜𝑦 + 𝑎𝑡. The position in the horizontal

direction is given by ∆𝑥 = 𝑣0𝑥 𝑡 , and the velocity in the horizontal direction is given by vx = C

which is a constant. The acceleration in the vertical direction of the projectile is gravity.

Therefore, the acceleration of the horizontal direction is 0 because the gravity is not acting there.