An Analysis of Projectile Motion Projectile Motion Lab Report PHY 302K: General Physics I (Mechanics/Heat/Sound) I. Introduction In the current unit, Unit 2.1 Two-Dimensional Motion, we have explored an applicable extension of 1-D motion as we learned in Unit 1.2 One-Dimensional Motion. By utilizing what information one is given by the situation observed, one can make conclusions based on current data collected. For instance, we can find the distance an object covered after being horizontally launched by using its horizontal speed and the altitude (height) at which it was launched from. That was an example of a horizontally launched projectile, which is a type of projectile motion; however, it is not the focus of the lab. The Projectile Motion Lab is focused on a different type of projectile motion - that of a non-horizontally launched projectile. In this type of motion, the projectile is shot at an angle, follows a parabolic trajectory, and reaches a peak height while airborne. Before diving into the lab, we needed to know what our objective entailed. Upon reading the Projectile Motion Lab handout, the group began to gather the materials we believe we needed to complete the lab as well as assign each member a role within the group to not
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An Analysis of Projectile Motion Projectile Motion Lab Report
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An Analysis of Projectile Motion Projectile Motion Lab Report PHY 302K: General Physics I (Mechanics/Heat/Sound)
I. Introduction
In the current unit, Unit 2.1 Two-Dimensional Motion, we have explored an applicable
extension of 1-D motion as we learned in Unit 1.2 One-Dimensional Motion. By utilizing what
information one is given by the situation observed, one can make conclusions based on
current data collected.
For instance, we can find the distance an object covered after being
horizontally launched by using its horizontal speed and the altitude
(height) at which it was launched from. That was an example of a
horizontally launched projectile, which is a type of projectile motion;
however, it is not the focus of the lab.
The Projectile Motion Lab is focused on a different type of
projectile motion - that of a non-horizontally launched
projectile. In this type of motion, the projectile is shot at
an angle, follows a parabolic trajectory, and reaches a
peak height while airborne.
Before diving into the lab, we needed to know what our objective entailed. Upon reading
the Projectile Motion Lab handout, the group began to gather the materials we believe we
needed to complete the lab as well as assign each member a role within the group to not
only make sure our results are as consistent as possible but that the lab runs smoothly
while optimizing the time given to complete the lab.
Needed Supplies
The team decided that to perform the lab we would require the following materials and
environment:
Nerf Gun with Foam Darts Meter Stick Sheet(s) of Notebook Paper and Pencil
to act as the projectile launcher and its foam dart(s)
as the projectile(s)
used to measure the placement of our markers and
to measure the distance traveled by the projectile
used to physically record the data collected before inserting
everything in a spreadsheet program
Sheet of Construction Paper Protractor Area free of obstacles and is at least 20 meters in length
to act as the target we want the projectile to hit
to measure the angle at which we launched the projectile
the area will be used to conduct the trials
Calculator (TI-Nspire CX) Computer with a Spreadsheet Program (ASUS C202S
Masking Tape and Sharpie
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Chromebook and Google Sheets)
used to determine calculations aside since Google Sheets is set to Radians rather than
Degrees
the Chromebook’s Google Sheets program was used to
organize collected data digitally as well and to provide
visuals aside from drawn models
used to mark each meter from 0 m to 20 m
Group Contributions
The group assigned each team member a role they were responsible for during the
duration of the lab. We were all given the following roles to fulfill before each were to write
their report after the completion of gathering the data necessary.
➢ Member #1
■ Organize data collected by the group and finalized data collection
➢ Member #2
■ Use the projectile launcher at a variety of angles
➢ Member #3
■ Measure the distance traveled by the projectile during each trial
➢ Member #4
■ Record all data collected during trials
II. Launch Speed
Task #1 Launch Speed is stated as the following:
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What to do: You have to determine the speed at which the projectile leaves
the launcher. You may select the materials you need from this lab from those
available. You should set the launcher to some angle of your choice. You
should launch it several times and calculate the initial velocity.
Simply, we will take the chosen materials to set up an arrangement where the projectile will
be launched from 0 meters at a constant angle the group has chosen over multiple trials.
Process
This task was the main objective of Day One. Our two main goals for the day were to prep
out “lab space” for the first and following days and to complete the first task of the lab.
Prepping the “Lab Space”
01. Mark where 0 m is located within the area chosen to perform the lab with masking
tape. On the masking tape write “0 m” with the sharpie.
02. Using the meter stick, measure one meter from where the “0 m” marker is located
at. Place a piece of masking tape where the meter ends and write “1 m” on it.
03. Measure another meter from the previous marker and label it according to how
many meters the marker is from the “0 m” marker.
04. Repeat Step 03 until you have reached your “20 m” marker. Set aside the masking
tape and sharpie.
05. We will still be utilizing the meter stick. Gather the rest of the needed supplies:
a. Protractor
b. Notebook Sheet
c. Nerf Gun with foam darts
d. Sheet of Notebook Paper
Completing Task #1
01. Lay behind the “0 m “ marker and position the projectile launcher (Nerf Gun) in the
direction of the “20 m” marker straight ahead.
02. Line up the protractor with the projectile launcher and set the launcher at the angle
desired.
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a. Note: The team decided that the angle we were going to use to launch to the
projectile was 20°
03. Once the projectile launcher is at the desired angle, launch the projectile. In this
case, you would be pulling the trigger of the Nerf Gun.
04. The team member in charge of measuring the distance traveled should measure the
distance the projectile traveled from the “0 m” marker up to the first point of impact
with the ground.
05. The team member responsible for data collection should write down the angle that
was used to launch the projectile and the distance traveled by the projectile on the
sheet of notebook paper.
06. Repeat Steps 03 - 05 at least 4 more times using the same angle chosen for the first
trial. The more trials you have, the better!
07. Clean up the lab space for the day.
08. Now, we move on to the Chromebook and the calculator. By utilizing Google Sheets
(or any other spreadsheet program) we will organize the collected information
under Day 1. This can be a section of the spreadsheet document or could simply be
its own document, separate from the data that will be collected on other days.
a. You will organize the data as such
i. Column A = Angle used to launch the projectile
ii. Column B = Distance traveled by the projectile
iii. Column C = Initial Velocity of the projectile
b. If you’ve noticed, we have not collected any data that can be considered as
initial velocity because we’ve only recorded the angle and distance traveled.
No worries! We can use the following formula to help solve for (initialiν
velocity).
09. By using your calculator and the given formula, plug in your values. Make sure that
your calculator is in Degree mode!
a. Δx = distance traveled
b. g = gravity (9.8)
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c. Θ = angle
10. Repeat the process to find the initial velocity for each trial.
11. Add all of the initial velocities calculated and divide them by the number of trials
conducted. This will give you the average velocity of the projectile (you can calculate
the average using the spreadsheet program or the calculator). Record the average
initial value in its own row/column (look at Data Collected to see the format we