Projectile Motion BS P-III Institute Of Physics

PROJECTILE MOTION
Objects of the experiment
1. To predict and verify the range of a ball launched at an angle.
2. Projectile Range versus Angle
3. Conservation of Energy
4. Conservation of Momentum in Two Dimensions

Equipment Collision Accessory

Trigger

Projectile Balls
90

Launcher
80
70

W
SAEAR
Base
60

GLFE
W ASTY
50

HE SE
N S
40

IN
US L
RAONG
E.
3
0

2
0
NG
E

ME
Thumb Screws
10
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0 E

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Ramrod
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Scale Indicator

Accessory Groove

Safety Goggles

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Projectile Motion BS P-III Institute Of Physics

General Instructions

➀ Ready
- Always wear safety goggles when you are in a - Place the ball in the piston. Remove the ramrod
room where the Projectile Launcher is being from its Velcro® storage place on the base.
used. While viewing the range-setting slots in the side
- The base of the Projectile Launcher must be of the Launcher, push the ball down the barrel
with the ramrod until the trigger catches the pis-
clamped to a sturdy table using the clamp of
ton at the desired range setting.
your choice. When clamping to the table, it is
desirable to have the label side of the Launcher - Remove the ramrod and place it back in its stor-
even with one edge of the table so a plumb bob age place on the base.
can be used to locate the position of the muzzle
- When the Projectile Launcher is loaded, the yel-
with respect to the floor.
low indicator is visible in one of the range slots
- The Projectile Launcher can be mounted to the in the side of the barrel and the ball is visible in
bracket using the curved slot when it is desired another one of the slots in the side of the barrel.
to change the launch angle. It can also be To check to see if the Launcher is loaded, al-
mounted to the lower two slots in the base if ways check the side of the barrel. Never look
you are only going to shoot horizontally, such down the barrel!
as into a pendulum or a Dynamics Cart.
➃ Shoot
➁ Aim
- Before shooting the ball, make certain that no
- The angle of inclination above the horizontal is person is in the way.
adjusted by loosening both thumb screws and
- To shoot the ball, pull straight up on the lanyard
rotating the Launcher to the desired angle as
(string) that is attached to the trigger. It is only
indicated by the plumb bob and protractor on
necessary to pull it about a centimeter.
the side of the Launcher. When the angle has
been selected, both thumb screws are tightened. - The spring on the trigger will automatically re-
turn the trigger to its initial position when you
- You can bore-sight at a target (such as in the
release it.
Monkey-Hunter demonstration) by looking
through the Launcher from the back end when ➄ Maintenance and Storage
the Launcher is not loaded. There are two
- Do not oil the Launcher!!
sights inside the barrel. Align the centers of
both sights with the target by adjusting the - To store the Launcher in the least amount of
angle and position of the Launcher. space, align the barrel with the base by adjust-
ing the angle to 90 degrees. If the photogate
➂ Load bracket and photogates are attached to the
- Always cock the piston with the ball in the pis- Launcher, the bracket can be slid back along
ton. Damage to the piston may occur if the the barrel with the photogates still attached.
ramrod is used without the ball.

2
Projectile Motion BS P-III Institute Of Physics

Experiment 1: Projectile Motion

Objects of the experiment
To predict and verify the range of a ball launched at an angle.

EQUIPMENT NEEDED:
-Projectile Launcher and plastic ball
-Plumb bob
-Meter stick
-Carbon paper
-White paper

Theory
In this experiment the initial velocity of the ball is determined by shooting it horizontally and
measuring the range and the height of the Launcher.
To predict where a ball will land on the floor when it is shot off a table at some angle above the
horizontal, it is necessary to first determine the initial speed (muzzle velocity) of the ball. This can
be determined by shooting the ball horizontally off the table and measuring the vertical and hori-
zontal distances through which the ball travels. Then the initial velocity can be used to calculate
where the ball will land when the ball is shot at an angle.
HORIZONTAL INITIAL VELOCITY:

For a ball shot horizontally off a table with an initial speed, vo, the horizontal distance travelled by
the ball is given by x = vot, where t is the time the ball is in the air. Air friction is assumed to be
negligible.
1 2
The vertical distance the ball drops in time t is given by y = 2 gt .

The initial velocity of the ball can be determined by measuring x and y. The time of flight of the
ball can be found using:
2y
t= g

and then the initial velocity can be found using v0 = x .

t
INITIAL VELOCITY AT AN ANGLE:
To predict the range, x, of a ball shot off with an initial velocity at an angle, θ, above the horizontal,
first predict the time of flight using the equation for the vertical motion:
y = y0 + v0 sinθ t – 1 gt 2
2
where yo is the initial height of the ball and y is the position of the ball when it hits the floor. Then
use x = v0 cosθ t to find the range.
Setup
➀ Clamp the Projectile Launcher to a sturdy table near one end of the table.
➁ Adjust the angle of the Projectile Launcher to zero degrees so the ball will be shot off horizontally.

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Projectile Motion BS P-III Institute Of Physics

Procedure

Part A: Determining the Initial Velocity of the Ball

➀ Put the plastic ball into the Projectile Launcher and cock it to the long range position.
Fire one shot to locate where the ball hits the floor. At this position, tape a piece of
white paper to the floor. Place a piece of carbon paper (carbon-side down) on top of
this paper and tape it down. When the ball hits the floor, it will leave a mark on the
white paper.
➁ Fire about ten shots.
➂ Measure the vertical distance from the bottom of the ball as it leaves the barrel (this
position is marked on the side of the barrel) to the floor. Record this distance in
Table 1.1.
➃ Use a plumb bob to find the point on the floor that is directly beneath the release
point on the barrel. Measure the horizontal distance along the floor from the release
point to the leading edge of the paper. Record in Table 1.1.
➄ Measure from the leading edge of the paper to each of the ten dots and record these
distances in Table 1.1.
➅ Find the average of the ten distances and record in Table 1.1.
➆ Using the vertical distance and the average horizontal distance, calculate the time of
flight and the initial velocity of the ball. Record in Table 1.1.
Table 1.1 Determining the Initial Velocity

Vertical distance = _____________ Horizontal distance to paper edge = ____________

Calculated time of flight = _________ Initial velocity = _______________

Trial Number Distance

10

Average

Total Distance

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Projectile Motion BS P-III Institute Of Physics

Part B: Predicting the Range of the Ball Shot at an Angle

➀ Adjust the angle of the Projectile Launcher to an angle between 30 and 60 degrees
and record this angle in Table 1.2.
➁ Using the initial velocity and vertical distance found in the first part of this experi-
ment, assume the ball is shot off at the new angle you have just selected and calcu-
late the new time of flight and the new horizontal distance. Record in Table 1.2.
➂ Draw a line across the middle of a white piece of paper and tape the paper on the
floor so the line is at the predicted horizontal distance from the Projectile Launcher.
Cover the paper with carbon paper.
➃ Shoot the ball ten times.
➄ Measure the ten distances and take the average. Record in Table 1.2.
Table 1.2 Confirming the Predicted Range

Angle above horizontal = ______________ Horizontal distance to paper edge = ____________

Calculated time of flight = _____________ Predicted Range = ____________

Trial Number Distance

10

Average

Total Distance

Analysis
➀ Calculate the percent difference between the predicted value and the resulting
average distance when shot at an angle.
➁ Estimate the precision of the predicted range. How many of the final 10 shots

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Projectile Motion BS P-III Institute Of Physics

Experiment 2: Projectile Range Versus Angle

Objects of the experiment
To find how the range of the ball depends on the angle at which it is launched.
To determine the angle that gives the greatest range for two cases: for shooting on level ground
and for shooting off a table.
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
-Projectile Launcher and plastic ball -plumb bob
-measuring tape or meter stick -carbon paper
-box to make elevation same as muzzle -white paper
-graph paper

Theory
The range is the horizontal distance, x, between the muzzle of the Launcher and the
place where the ball hits, given by x = (v0cosθ)t, where v0 is the initial speed of the ball
as it leaves the muzzle, θ is the angle of inclination above horizontal, and t is the time of
flight. See figure 3.1.

υ0

x
Figure 3.1 Shooting on a level surface
For the case in which the ball hits on a place that is at the same level as the level of the
muzzle of the launcher, the time of flight of the ball will be twice the time it takes the ball
the reach the peak of its trajectory. At the peak, the vertical velocity is zero so

vy = 0 = v0 sinθ – gt peak
v sinθ
Therefore, solving for the time gives that the total time of flight is t = 2t peak = 2 0 g .
υ0
For the case in which the ball
is shot off at an angle off a θ
table onto the floor (See
Figure 3.2) the time of flight is
found using the equation for y0
the vertical motion:
y = y0 + v0 sinθ t – 1 gt 2
2
where yo is the initial height of x
the ball and y is the position of
the ball when it hits the floor.
Figure 3.2 Shooting off the table

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Projectile Motion BS P-III Institute Of Physics

Setup
➀ Clamp the Projectile Launcher to a sturdy table near one end of the table with the
Launcher aimed so the ball will land on the table.
➁ Adjust the angle of the Projectile Launcher to ten degrees.
➂ Put the plastic ball into the Projectile Launcher and cock it to the medium or long range
position.

➤ NOTE: In general, this experiment will not

work as well on the short range setting
ch
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because the muzzle velocity is more variable

DODOW
SH
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PR
00
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90
ME

80
70
0
60
50 10
40 30 20

AR TY S E.

with change in angle.

WE FE SE US
SA AS IN
GL EN
WH

➃ Fire one shot to locate where the ball

hits. Place a box at that location so the
ball will hit at the same level as the
muzzle of the launcher. See Figure 3.3.

Procedure Figure 3.3 Set up to shoot on level surface

SHOOTING ON A LEVEL SURFACE

➀ Fire one shot to locate where the ball hits the box. At this position, tape a piece of white paper to
the box. Place a piece of carbon paper (carbon-side down) on top of this paper and tape it down.
When the ball hits the box, it will leave a mark on the white paper.
➁ Fire about five shots.
➂ Use a measuring tape to measure the horizontal distance from the muzzle to the leading edge of the
paper. If a measuring tape is not available, use a plumb bob to find the point on the table that is
directly beneath the release point on the barrel. Measure the horizontal distance along the table from
the release point to the leading edge of the paper. Record in Table 3.1.
➃ Measure from the leading edge of the paper to each of the five dots and record these
distances in Table 3.1.
➄ Increase the angle by 10 degrees and repeat all the steps.
➅ Repeat for angles up to and including 80 degrees.

Table 3.1 Shooting on a Level Surface

Angle 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

2
Horz. Distance

Average

Paper
Dist.
Total
Dist.

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Projectile Motion BS P-III Institute Of Physics

SHOOTING OFF THE TABLE

Aim the projectile launcher so the ball will hit the floor. Repeat the procedure and
record the data in Table 3.2.
Table 3.2 Shooting off the Table onto the Floor
Table 3.2 Shooting Off the Table

Angle 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

2
Horz. Distance

Average

Paper
Dist.
Total
Dist.

Analysis
➀ Find the average of the five distances in each case and record in Tables 3.1 and 3.2.
➁ Add the average distance to the distance to the leading edge of the paper to find the
total distance (range) in each case. Record in Tables 3.1 and 3.2.
➂ For each data table, plot the range vs. angle and draw a smooth curve through the
points.

Questions
➀ From the graph, what angle gives the maximum range for each case?
➁ Is the angle for the maximum range greater or less for shooting off the table?
➂ Is the maximum range further when the ball is shot off the table or on the level

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Projectile Motion BS P-III Institute Of Physics

Experiment 3: Conservation of Energy

Objects of the experiment
To show that the kinetic energy of a ball shot straight up is transformed into potential
energy.

EQUIPMENT NEEDED
-Projectile Launcher and plastic ball -plumb bob final position

-measuring tape or meter stick -white paper

-(optional) 2 Photogates and Photogate Bracket -carbon pa-
per h

Theory
The total mechanical energy of a ball is the sum of its poten-
tial energy (PE) and its kinetic energy (KE). In the absence initial position υ0

Position
Launch

of Ball

PROJECTILE LAUNCHER
b a l l s O N LY !
Use 25 mm
of friction, total energy is conserved. When a ball is shot

Yellow Band in Window

SHORT RANGE
Indicates Range.
RANGE
SHORT

BARREL!
LOOK
BARREL.
straight up, the initial PE is defined to be zero and the

CAUTION!
NOT LOOK
CAUTION!
NOT
DOWN THE
DOWN
DODO
MEDIUM
RANGE
RANGE
LONG
KE = (1/2)mv02, where m is the mass of the ball and vo is the

ME-6800
0
muzzle speed of the ball. See Figure 5.1. When the ball

10
20
30
40
50

WHEN IN USE.
60
70
90 80

GLASSES
SAFETY
reaches its maximum height, h, the final KE is zero and the

WEAR
PE = mgh, where g is the acceleration due to gravity. Con-
servation of energy gives that the initial KE is equal to the
final PE.
To calculate the kinetic energy, the initial velocity must be
determined. To calculate the initial velocity, vo, for a ball
shot horizontally off a table, the horizontal distance travelled
by the ball is given by x = v0t, where t is the time the ball is
in the air. Air friction is assumed to be negligible. See
Figure 5.1 Conservation of Energy
Figure 5.2.
The vertical distance the ball drops in time t is υ0
given by y = (1/2)gt2.
The initial velocity of the ball can be deter-
mined by measuring x and y. The time of y
flight of the ball can be found using
2y
t= g
and then the initial velocity can be found x
using v0 = x/t.
Figure 5.2 Finding the Initial Velocity
Set up
➀ Clamp the Projectile Launcher to a sturdy table near one end of the table with the Launcher aimed
away from the table. See Figure 5.1.
➁ Point the Launcher straight up and fire a test shot on medium range to make sure the ball doesn’t hit
the ceiling. If it does, use the short range throughout this experiment or put the Launcher closer to
the floor.
➂ Adjust the angle of the Projectile Launcher to zero degrees so the ball will be shot off horizontally.

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Projectile Motion BS P-III Institute Of Physics

Procedure
PART I: Determining the Initial Velocity of the Ball (without photogates)
➀ Put the plastic ball into the Projectile Launcher and cock it to the medium range position.
Fire one shot to locate where the ball hits the floor. At this position, tape a piece of white
paper to the floor. Place a piece of carbon paper (carbon-side down) on top of this paper
and tape it down. When the ball hits the floor, it will leave a mark on the white paper.
➁ Fire about ten shots.
➂ Measure the vertical distance from the bottom of the ball as it leaves the barrel (this
position is marked on the side of the barrel) to the floor. Record this distance in Table 5.1.
➃ Use a plumb bob to find the point on the floor that is directly beneath the release point on
the barrel. Measure the horizontal distance along the floor from the release point to the
leading edge of the paper. Record in Table 5.1.
➄ Measure from the leading edge of the paper to each of the ten dots and record these
distances in Table 5.1.
➅ Find the average of the ten distances and record in Table 5.1.
➆ Using the vertical distance and the average horizontal distance, calculate the time of flight
and the initial velocity of the ball. Record in Table 5.1.

Trial Number Distance

10

Average

Total Distance

Table 5.1 Determining the Initial Velocity without Photogates

Vertical distance = ______________ Calculated time of flight= ____________
Horizontal distance to paper edge = ____________ Initial velocity = ______________

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Projectile Motion BS P-III Institute Of Physics

ALTERNATE METHOD FOR DETERMINING THE INITIAL VELOCITY OF THE BALL (USING
PHOTOGATES)

➀ Attach the photogate bracket to the Launcher and attach two photogates to the bracket.
Plug the photogates into a computer or other timer.
➁ Adjust the angle of the Projectile Launcher to 90 degrees (straight up).
➂ Put the plastic ball into the Projectile Launcher and cock it to the long range position.
➃ Run the timing program and set it to measure the time between the ball blocking the two
photogates.
➄ Shoot the ball three times and take the average of these times. Record in Table 5.2.
➅ Using that the distance between the photogates is 10 cm, calculate the initial speed and
record it in Table 5.2.

TRIAL NUMBER TIME

AVERAGE TIME

INITIAL SPEED

Table 5.2 Initial Speed Using Photogates

MEASURING THE HEIGHT
➀ Adjust the angle of the Launcher to 90 degrees (straight up).
➁ Shoot the ball on the medium range setting several times and measure the maximum height
attained by the ball. Record in Table 5.3.
➂ Determine the mass of the ball and record in Table 5.3.
ANALYSIS
➃ Calculate the initial kinetic energy and record in Table 5.3.
➄ Calculate the final potential energy and record in Table 5.3.
➅ Calculate the percent difference between the initial and final energies and record in Table 5.3.

Table 5.3 Results

Maximuim Height of Ball

Mass of Ball

Initial Kinetic Energy

Final Potential Energy

Percent Difference

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Projectile Motion BS P-III Institute Of Physics

Experiment 4: Conservation of Momentum In Two Dimensions

Objects of the experiment

To show that the momentum is conserved in two dimensions for elastic and inelastic collisions.
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
-Projectile Launcher and 2 plastic balls -plumb bob
-meter stick -protractor
-butcher paper -tape to make collision inelastic
-stand to hold ball -carbon paper
Theory
A ball is shot toward another
ball which is initially at rest, υ1
resulting in a collision after
which the two balls go off in θ1
different directions. Both balls m1 υ0
are falling under the influence m2 (υ = 0) m1
of the force of gravity so mo- (a) m2
mentum is not conserved in the θ2
vertical direction. However,
there is no net force on the balls υ2
in the horizontal plane so (b)
momentum is conserved in Figure 6.1: (a) Before Collision (b) After Collision
horizontal plane.
Before the collision, since all the momentum is in the direction of the velocity of Ball #1
it is convenient to define the x-axis along this direction. Then the momentum before the
collision is
Pbefore = m1v0 x
and the momentum after the collision is
Pafter = m1v1x + m2v2x x + m1v1y – m2v2y y
where v1x = v1 cosθ 1, v1y = v1 sinθ 1 , v2x = v2 cosθ 2 and v2y = v2 sinθ 2
Since there is no net momentum in the y-direction before the collision, conservation of
momentum requires that there is no momentum in the y-direction after the collision.
Therefore,
m1 v1y = m2 v2y
Equating the momentum in the x-direction before the collision to the momentum in the
x-direction after the collision gives
m1 v0 = m1 v1x + m2 v2x
In an elastic collision, energy is conserved as well as momentum.
1 m v 2=1 m v 2+1 m v 2
2 1 0 2 1 1 2 2 2
➀ How does friction affect the result for the kinetic energy?
➁ How does friction affect the result for the potential energy?
Also, when energy is conserved, the paths of two balls (of equal mass) after the collision will
be at right angles to each other.

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Projectile Motion BS P-III Institute Of Physics

Installing the 2-Dimensional Collision Accessory

Introduction
Square
The two dimensional Collision Accessory consists of Nut
a plastic bar with a thumb screw and square nut. It is
used with the Projectile Launcher to hold a second
ball in front of the muzzle so the launched ball will
collide with the second ball, creating a 2-dimensional
collision.

Assembly
To assemble the collision accessory, insert the screw
through the hole and secure with the nut as shown be-
low.
To mount the collision ccessory to the Launcher the
square nut slides into the T-shaped channel on the Thumb
Screw
bottom of the barrel. (See Figure 6.2)

Expectations for the Projectile Launcher

The following are helpful hints and approximate val- essary to shoot to a table that is at the same height
ues you may find useful: as the muzzle.
➀ The muzzle speed will vary slightly with angle. ➂ The scatter pattern is minimized when the Projec-
The difference between muzzle speed when shot tile Launcher base is securely clamped to a sturdy
horizontally versus vertically can be anywhere table. Any wobble in the table will show up in the
from zero to data.
8 %, depending on the range setting and the par-
The angle of inclination can be determined to
ticular launcher.
within one- half of a degree.
➁ Although the muzzle end of the Projectile
Launcher doesn’t change height with angle, it is
about 30 cm (12 inches) above table level, so if it
is desired to use the simple range formula, it is nec-

13
Projectile Motion BS P-III Institute Of Physics

Set up
➀ Clamp the Projectile Launcher to a sturdy
table near one end of the table with the
Launcher aimed inward toward the table.
➁ Adjust the angle of the Projectile Launcher to
zero degrees so the ball will be shot off
horizontally onto the table. Fire a test shot
on the short range setting to make sure the
ball lands on the table.
➂ Cover the table with butcher paper. The
paper must extend to the base of the
Launcher.
➃ Mount collision attachment on the Launcher.
See Figure 6.2. Slide the attachment back
along the Launcher until the tee is about 3
cm in front of the muzzle.
➄ Rotate the attachment to position the ball Figure 6.2: Photogate Bracket and Tee
from side to side. The tee must be located so
that neither ball rebounds into the Launcher to the Launcher.
and so both balls land on the table. Tighten ➅ Place a piece of carbon paper at each of the
the screw to secure the collision attachment three sites where the balls will land.
Procedure
➀ Using one ball, shoot the ball straight five times.
➁ Elastic collision: Using two balls, load one ball and put the other ball on the tee. Shoot the
ball five times.
➂ Inelastic collision: Using two balls, load one ball and stick a very small loop of tape onto
the tee ball. Orient the tape side of the tee ball so it will be struck by the launched ball,
causing an inelastic collision. Shoot the ball once and if the balls miss the carbon paper,
relocate the carbon paper and shoot once more. Since the tape does not produce the same
inelastic collision each time, it is only useful to record this collision once.
➃ Use a plumb bob to locate on the paper the spot below the point of contact of the two balls.
Mark this spot.
Analysis
➀ Draw lines from the point-of-contact spot to the centers of the groups of dots. There
will be five lines.
➁ Measure the lengths of all five lines and record on the paper. Since the time of flight
is the same for all paths, these lengths are proportional to the corresponding horizon-
tal velocities. Since the masses are also the same, these lengths are also proportional
to the corresponding momentum of each ball.
➂ Measure the angles from the center line to each of the outer four lines and record on
the paper.
PERFORM THE FOLLOWING THREE STEPS FOR THE ELASTIC COLLISION AND
THEN REPEAT THESE THREE STEPS FOR THE INELASTIC COLLISION:

➃ For the x-direction, check that the momentum before equals the momentum after the
collision. To do this, use the lengths for the momentums and calculate the x-compo-
nents using the angles. Record the results in Tables 6.1 and 6.2.

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Projectile Motion BS P-III Institute Of Physics

Table 6.1 Results for the Elastic Collision

Initial Final
% difference
x-momentum x-momentum

y-momentum y-momentum
% difference
ball 1 ball 2

Initial KE Final KE % difference

Table 6.2 Results for the Inelastic Collision

Initial Final
% difference
x-momentum x-momentum

y-momentum y-momentum
% difference
ball 1 ball 2

Initial KE Final KE % difference

➄ For the y-direction, check that the momenta for the two balls are equal and opposite,
thus canceling each other. To do this, calculate the y-components using the angles.
Record the results in the Tables.
➅ Calculate the total kinetic energy before and the total kinetic energy after the colli-
sion. Calculate the percent difference. Record the results in the Tables.
Questions
➀ Was momentum conserved in the x-direction for each type of collision?
➁ Was momentum conserved in the y-direction for each type of collision?
➂ Was energy conserved for the elastic collision?

15
Projectile Motion BS P-III Institute Of Physics

Teacher's Guide

Experiment 1: Projectile Motion

Procedure

➤ NOTE: For best results, make sure that the projectile launcher is clamped securely to a firm table.
Any movement of the gun will result in inconsistent data.

A) The muzzle velocity of the gun tested for this manual was 6.5 m/s (Short range launcher at maxi-
mum setting, nylon ball)
B) To find the range at the chosen angle, it is necessary to solve the quadratic equation given in the
theory section. You may wish for the students to do this, or you may provide them with the solu-
tion:

v0sinθ + (v0sinθ ) 2 + 2g(y0–y)

t= g

Analysis
➀ The difference depended on the angle at which the gun was fired. The following table gives typical
results:
Angle Predicted Range Actual Range Percent Error
30 5.22 5.19 0.57%
45 5.30 5.16 2.64%
60 4.35 4.23 2.87%
39 5.39 5.31 1.48%

➤ NOTE: The maximum angle is not 45° in this case, nor is the range at 60° equal to that at 30°.
This is because the initial height of the ball is not the same as that of the impact point. The
maximum range for this setup (with the launcher 1.15 m above ground level) was calculated to
be 39°, and this was experimentally verified as well.

➁ Answers will vary depending on the method of estimating the precision. The primary source of
error is in ignoring the effect of air resistance.

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Projectile Motion BS P-III Institute Of Physics

Experiment 2: Projectile Range Versus Angle

Procedure
Shooting off a level surface:

4.5

3.5

3
Range (m)

2.5

1.5

0.5

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
Angle (degrees)

Shooting off a table:

4
Range (m)

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
Angle (degrees)

➤ NOTE: The curves shown are for the calculated ranges in each case. The data points are the
actual measured ranges.

Questions:
➀ On a level surface, the maximum range is at 45°. For a non-level surface, the angle of maximum
range depends on the initial height of the projectile. For our experimental setup, with an initial
height of 1.15 m, the maximum range is at 40°. (Theoretical value 39°)
➁ The angle of maximum range decreases with table height.
➂ The maximum distance increases with table height.

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Projectile Motion BS P-III Institute Of Physics

Experiment 3
3: Conservation of Energy

Analysis
➀ Using the photogate method, we found that the initial speed of the ball was 4.93 m/s.
(Nylon ball, short range launcher at medium setting) The ball mass was 9.6 g, so our
total kinetic energy was 0.117 J.
➁ The ball reached an average height of 1.14 m. Potential energy was then 0.107 J.
➂ Energy lost was 8.5% of original energy.

Experiment 4 : Conservation of Momentum in Two Dimensions

Setup
➀ If possible use medium range rather than short. The medium-range setting gives
more predictable results than the short-range setting.

Analysis
➀ Results for the x component of momentum should be within 5% of initial values.
The total y component should be small compared to the x component.

Questions
➀ Momentum is conserved on both axes.
➁ Kinetic energy is nearly conserved in the elastic collision. There is some loss due the
fact that the collision is not completely elastic.
➂ Energy is conserved for the inelastic collision; but kinetic energy is not.
➃ The angle should be nearly 90°. (Our tests had angles of about 84°)
➄ In the inelastic case, the angle will be less than in the elastic case. The exact angle
will depend on the degree of inelasticity, which will depend on the type and amount
of tape used.