Projectile

Motion
Berba, Mojica, Santonia

1
0.
Objectives

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◎ Measure the launch speed of a ball using
Vernier Projectile Launcher & LabQuest
◎ Apply concepts of two-dimensional kinematics
to predict the impact point
◎ Take into account trial-to-trial variations in
speed measurements when calculating the
impact point

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1.
Introduction
The Basics of Two-Dimensional
Kinematics

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Projectile Motion
◎ Motion of an object (projectile) thrown into the air
◎ Influenced by the force of gravity
◎ Two-dimensional: horizontal & vertical independent
movements

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Horizontal motion Vertical motion

𝑎$ = 0 𝑎* = −𝑔
𝑣$ = 𝑣$" 𝑣* = 𝑣*" − 𝑔𝑡
1
𝑥 = 𝑥" + 𝑣$" 𝑡 𝑦 = 𝑦" + 𝑣*" 𝑡 − 𝑔𝑡 0
2

Initial velocity (𝑣") can be represented in terms of

magnitude and angle from the +x-axis

𝑣$" = 𝑣" 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃

𝑣*" = 𝑣" 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃

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Derivation
Note:

𝑣$" = 𝑣" 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃

𝑣*" = 𝑣" 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃

𝑣$ = 𝑣" 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 𝑥 2𝑣" 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃

𝑣* = 𝑣" 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 − 𝑔𝑡 𝑡= =
𝑣" 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 𝑔
𝑥 = 𝑣" 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃𝑡
1 0
𝑦 = 𝑣" 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃𝑡 − 𝑔𝑡
2

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Formulas Used in the Experiment

Height at given angle and distance

𝑔 0
𝑦 𝑥 = 𝑦" + tan𝜃 𝑥 − 𝑥" − 0 (𝑥 − 𝑥" )
2𝑣" 𝑐𝑜𝑠 0 𝜃

Range at given angle

𝑣"0 𝑠𝑖𝑛2𝜃
𝑅=
𝑔

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Assumptions
Constant initial velocity &
negligible air resistance

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2.
Methodology
The Projectile Launcher

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Procedures
1. Connect to LabQuest
2. Secure and Calibrate
3. Place projectile, pump air
4. Arm, fire, measure

𝑣" = launch speed 𝑥=>$ = range

𝜃 = launch angle 𝑦=>$ = height

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3.
Data Analysis
The Findings

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 Plot of Rexpt and Rtheo versus sin(2θ) Best Fit Line: Linear
2.500
Observations: Rexpt > Rtheo
y = 1.8538x + 0.0572
R² = 0.9895
2.000
y = 1.8409x
R² = 1
1.500
Range (m)

1.000

0.500

0.000
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2
sin2θ (in degrees)
Experimental R Theoretical R
Linear (Experimental R) Linear (Theoretical R)

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 Plot of yexpt and ytheo versus x Best Fit Line: Polynomial
0.080 Observations: Rexpt > Rtheo
0.070

0.060

0.050
y, Height (m)

0.040

0.030
y = -0.2966x2 + 0.3257x - 0.0237
0.020 R² = 0.999

0.010 y = -0.2911x2 + 0.2679x - 3E-17

R² = 1
0.000
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1
x, Displacement (m)
Experimental y Theoretical y
Poly. (Experimental y) Poly. (Theoretical y)

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Air Resistance
◎ Exerts an opposing force on projectile
◎ Directly proportional to speed of object
◎ Acceleration approaches zero

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Sources of Error
1. Increasing launch speed
2. Method of measuring
3. Air resistance

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4.
Conclusion &
Recommendations

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◎ Gravity determines vertical motion
◎ Air resistance is minimal at short distances and
closed environments
◎ Inconsistent initial velocity readings
◎ Alternative ways of measuring height and range
would significantly decrease margin of error

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References
◎ University Physics, 13th Edition by Young
and Freedman
◎ Physics 71.1 Laboratory Manual

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