Calculating and Analyzing the Effects of Air

Resistance on a Projectile
SPH4U Lab Report

Part A
Objective:
To determine the amount of energy the projectile launcher is able to impart on any object it
launches.
Assumption:
It is assumed that a ball bearing will experience negligible air resistance due to its small size and
smooth surface.
Data:
 Distance Travelled (m)
Launch # Ball Bearing
1 3.85
2 3.7
3 3.8
4 3.6
5 3.7
Descriptive Statistics
Mean 3.73 m
Standard 0.097468
Deviation
Median 3.70 m

Reference Diagram:
/ /

vlaunch
Analysis:
h = 0.38 m
Solving for the Time the Ball Bearing Travels
1
45° 𝑑𝑣 = 𝑣𝑣 𝑡 + 𝑎𝑡 2
2
1 2
−0.38 = 𝑣𝑣 𝑡 + (−9.8)𝑡
2 dactual = 3.7 m
𝑑ℎ
= 𝑣𝐿 𝑐𝑜𝑠 45° = 𝑣𝐿 𝑠𝑖𝑛 45° = 𝑣ℎ = 𝑣𝑣
𝑡
 3.73
= 𝑣𝑣
𝑡
3.73 1
−0.38 = 𝑡 + (−9.8)𝑡 2
𝑡 2
𝑡 = 0.916 𝑠.

Solving for the Launch Velocity

𝑑ℎ
𝑣ℎ =
𝑡
3.73
𝑣ℎ =
0.916
𝑚
𝑣ℎ = 4.073
𝑠
𝑣ℎ
𝑣𝐿 =
cos 45°
4.073
𝑣𝐿 =
cos 45°
𝑚
𝑣𝐿 = 5.760
𝑠
Solving for the Energy Imparted by the Launcher

1
𝐸𝑘𝐿 = 𝑚𝑣𝐿2
2
1
𝐸𝑘𝐿 = (0.0168)2 (5.760)2
2
𝐸𝑘𝐿 = 0.279 𝐽

Conclusion:
In summary, the launcher, when shot at a 45-degree angle, imparts 0.279 Joules of kinetic energy
into the ball bearing.

Part B
Objective:
To determine the percentage of energy lost by a practice golf ball during a launch from the same
projectile launcher used in Part A.
Data:

Distance Travelled (m)

Launch # Practice Golf Ball
 1 5.9
2 6.2
3 6.1
4 6.2
5 6.15
Descriptive Statistics
Mean 6.11 m
Standard 0.124499
Deviation
Median 6.150 m

Reference Diagram:

vlaunch
h = 0.38 m

45°

dactual = 6.11 m

dtheoretical= ?