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In this experiment, students use their experimental data and theoretical calculations to hit a target using a projectile launcher. |
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Safety:
Wear Safety Goggles.
Do not place foreign objects into the Launcher.
Do not look into the Launcher.
Do not aim the Launcher at others.
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- Measure and record the height of the ball's starting point. Use the cross hairs on the side of the Launcher.
- Tape blank paper to the top of the Time-of-Flight Accessory.
- Find the point on the floor where the ball will land: Using the plastic plunger, push the ball as far as possible into the Launcher. Make sure three clicks are heard. If necessary, level the Launcher using the plumb bob. Using the string, pull back on the trigger. Keep track of the location on the floor where the ball lands.
- Place the Time-of-Flight Accessory at this location . Put carbon paper over the blank paper that is taped to the Time-of-Flight Accessory.
- Collect the data . Load the Launcher. Press the START
 button in DataStudio. Immediately launch the ball. Data Collection will stop automatically after 5 seconds. Repeat, if necessary, to obtain the initial velocity. Use the meter stick to measure the horizontal range.
- Record the experimental data . Enter the value of the angle in degrees and the horizontal range in meters into the "Measured Range" data table.
- Record the theoretical value. Using the height, the initial velocity, and the angle; calculate the horizontal range in meters. Enter this value and the angle into the "Calculated Range" Data Table.
- Repeat the above steps for 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 degrees.
- Print the Range v Angle graph.
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- Show your work here for the calculation of at least one of your theoretical values for the horizontal range:
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Show your Range v Angle graph to your teacher. Your teacher will place the target at a particular position on the floor. Measure the horizontal distance to the center of the target. Place the carbon paper on top of the target. Your objective is to hit the target and score as many points as possible. You will have 5 attempts. You may adjust the Launcher between attempts. Enter the points in the following table:
Trial # |
Points |
1 |
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2 |
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3 |
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4 |
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5 |
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Total: |
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Sketch the trajectory of your projectile when it was shot horizontally (0 degrees). Draw 5 qualitative horizontal velocity vectors at different locations on your sketch. Make sure the lengths of the vectors represent the relative magnitudes of the velocities. In other words, low velocities should be represented by small arrow and large arrows should represent large velocities.
- Draw 5 qualitative vertical velocity vectors at the same points on your sketch. Make sure the lengths of the vectors represent the relative magnitudes of the velocities.
- Draw another sketch of the trajectory of your projectile when it was shot horizontally. Draw 5 qualitative horizontal acceleration vectors at different locations on your sketch. Make sure the lengths of the vectors represent the relative magnitudes of the accelerations.
- Draw 5 qualitative vertical acceleration vectors at the same points on your sketch. Make sure the lengths of the vectors represent the relative magnitudes of the accelerations.
- Draw a force diagram of the ball as it rests in the Launcher. Draw a force diagram of the ball as it flies through the air.
- If a ball is dropped from the same height and at the same time as the ball that was shot horizontally. Which ball would hit the ground first? Use the force diagrams and vectors drawn above to explain your answers.
- Refer to your Angle v Range graph. What angle corresponds to the maximum range? Explain why this particular angle produces the maximum range.
- In general terms, at what angle is the Launcher the most precise? Explain.
- Optional: Set up the launcher on the floor. Experimentally determine the angle necessary to reach the maximum range. Calculate the angle necessary to reach the maximum range. Compare these results with each other. Also, compare these results with the values from the Launcher when the ball was shot from the table.
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