Analysis

Experiment 3 deals with another kind of motion but this time in two-
dimension. One kind of this motion is the projectile motion. It is a motion
where a projectile, a body given an initial velocity, and then it follows a path
determined entirely by the effects of gravitational acceleration and air
resistance.
First objective of the experiment is to analyze the motion of a projectile.
It was demonstrated using a projectile launcher at zero degrees. Horizontal
distance was to be determined and from it, initial velocity applied can be
calculated. Data obtained were shown below.
Table 1. Getting the Initial Velocity of the Projectile
time of travel, t = 2 y = 0.233 s
Vertical distance, y = 0.265 m
√ g

Trial Horizontal distance, x Initial velocity, vn = x

t
1 1.125 m 4.828 m/s
2 1.113 m 4.777 m/s
3 1.159 m 4.974 m/s
4 1.098 m 4.712 m/s
5 1.155 m 4.957 m/s
Average = 4.850 m/s

From the data obtained, it can be stated that initial velocity is directly
proportional to the horizontal distance the metal ball had travelled. It can be
indicated that as the horizontal distance increases, the initial velocity
increases, too.
Second objective of the experiment is to compare the ranges of
projectiles launched at different angles. Range is the horizontal distance
travelled by a projectile applied with an initial velocity. In this part, the
projectile launcher is used at an angle of inclination, specifically in this
experiment, at 30 degrees and 60 degrees. The projectile launcher is placed
at the edge of the table. Data obtained were shown below.
Table 2. Determining the Range of the Projectile
Average initial velocity, vo = 4.850 m/s
Launch angle = 30 deg Launch angle = 60 deg
Range (computed value) Range (computed value)
v o2 sin θ v o2 sin θ
R= =2.079 m R= =2.079 m
g g
Range Range
Percentage Percentage
Trial (experimental (experimental
Difference Difference
value) value)
1 2.090 m 0.510% 2.031 m 2.360%
2 2.105 m 1.250% 2.046 m 1.590%
3 2.115 m 3.600% 2.071 m 0.380%
4 2.110 m 1.490% 2.043 m 1.730%
5 2.065 m 0.670% 2.036 m 2.070%

From the data obtained, a projectile will have a greater range if it was
launched at 30 degrees. Since a 30 degree- inclination is used; the projectile
can travel a longer horizontal distance but a lower vertical distance. While at
60 degree- inclination, the projectile can travel a shorter horizontal distance
but a higher vertical distance since it is inclined at a higher angle. It is
consistent with the fact that lower angle of inclination will have longer
range.
 In this experiment, the maximum height of the projectile was also
determined. It is referred as the maximum vertical distance a projectile can
travel. It is the highest point of the projectile, as well as the middle point of
the maximum horizontal distance. Data obtained were shown below.
Table 3. Determining the Maximum Height of the Projectile
Average initial velocity, vo = 4.850 m/s
Launch angle = 30 deg Launch angle = 60 deg
Maximum vertical distance Maximum vertical distance
(computed value), (computed value),
2 2
( v o sin θ ) ( v o sin θ )
y max = =0.300 m y max = =0.900 m
2g 2g
Maximum
Maximum vertical
vertical distance Percentage Percentage
Trial distance
(experimental Difference Difference
(experimental value)
value)
1 0.330 m 10.000% 0.935 m 3.390%
2 0.330 m 10.000% 0.950 m 5.560%
3 0.308 m 2.670% 0.935 m 3.390%
4 0.308 m 2.670% 0.945 m 5.000%
5 0.313 m 4.300% 0.935 m 3.390%

From the data obtained, a projectile launched at 60 degrees will have

higher vertical distance than launched at 30 degrees. It is consistent with the
fact that the vertical distance a projectile can travel has a direct relationship
to the angle of inclination. As you increase the angle of inclination, there is
also an increase in the vertical distance, as observed in the data table.
Errors can be crucial to projectile motion. An error may occur in the
inaccurate measurement of angle and the use of the ruler for the
measurement of the horizontal distance and vertical distance. These possible
sources of error must be taken into account for better results and
visualization of the experiment.
By calculating the percentage difference between the computed values
with the experimental value, it can be able to determine the accuracy of the
experiment. Seen on the table, it is enough for a conclusion of accurate result
was obtained in the experiment.

Conclusion
From the objectives of the experiment, I, therefore, conclude that they
were achieved. Discussed in the analysis is the result of the experiment for
each objective.
Analysis of the projectile motion was done through a projectile launcher
firing a metal ball at zero inclination. Projectile motion is a motion with an
initial velocity that travels in a parabolic curve called trajectory. As the metal
ball travels longer, it is an indication that the initial velocity applied was
higher, also.
 Ranges and the maximum vertical distance were also studied in this
experiment. It was done through launching a metal ball at two different
angles: a 30 degree- inclination and a 60 degree- inclination. Range is the
maximum horizontal distance a projectile can travel and maximum vertical
distance is the highest point a projectile can reach. Maximum vertical
distance is the middle point of the range.
To summarize this part, lower angle of inclination will have longer
range while higher angle of inclination will have higher maximum vertical
distance.
This was the Experiment 3, the projectile motion, was demonstrated
and studied.