Horizontal Projectile Motion, Lab Report Example

Objective

The objective of this lab is to examine the different properties of projectile motion. The initial velocity of a steel ball projected horizontally can be ascertained from the measured range. The projectile range for a given initial velocity will be measured for a number of initial angles, and through the application of the theory for motion with acceleration held constant.

Theoretical Background

The components of projectile motion can be explained using kinematic equations. This is because projectile motion takes place when an object experiences motion as a result of gravity only with the object existing within a two-dimensional space. This lab will entail carrying out measurements of the initial velocities of objects under projectile motion.

Apparatus and Procedure
Apparatus

– One long steel pole

– One short steel pole

– One table clamp

– One small V-groove clamp

– One right angle clamp

– Launching track

– Small steel ball

– Level and plumb bob

– Carbon paper

– 11″ x 17″ white paper and masking tape

– Meter stick and ruler

Procedure

1. We let the ball roll off the launching track from a known high position on the incline and let it fall on a sheet of carbon paper that was placed on top of a piece of plain paper.
2. We measured the total distance displaced in thedirection from. A plumb line was used at the point of launch to find on the table.
3. was determined by applyingand .
4. The procedure was repeated nine times and the average value was obtained for the horizontal velocity as well as an error for the average. The roll was always started at the same point on the incline.
5. We obtained eight other points of bothand.
6. We plotted all nine plots in the graph ofversus. This depicted the trajectory of objects under projectile motions.
7. By using bothandwe eliminated the variable and remained with the equation. This is the mathematical equation of trajectory.
8. We plotted it in the same graph of Procedure 3 as we used the same value of obtained in procedure 1.

Throughout the trials, it was found that the initial velocity remained the same. This is largely due to the fact that there is a 10% deviation between the largest and smallest values. This is largely due to the fact that the same firing mechanism was employed throughout the whole lab. The projectile was the same throughout the experiment. This indicates that the steel ball’s mass was the same throughout the experiment.

In this lab, there were a number of sources of error that may have affected accuracy of results. One of the main sources of error is the effect of air on the movement of the steel ball. As the ball moves through the air molecules it collides against these molecules causing it to slow down, thus generating a less than ideal result.

Conclusions

Given the velocity exchanged, the change in trajectory would be negligible. This is largely owing to the fact the ball has the same mass throughout the experiment. A change in trajectory would have to be caused by a change in the point at which the ball is fired.

References

Hyperphysics.com. (2014, November 20). Physical Units. Retrieved February 3, 2015, from Hyperphysics.com: http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/units.html