Part I: Downward Projectile Motion from a height

Purpose
The purpose of this lab was to investigate the motion of a projectile as it falls from a
known height and hits the ground, and to analyze the relationship between its initial
velocity and its components and the impact velocity as it hits the ground.

Hypothesis
The vertical component of the initial velocity of the projectile will increase as it hits the
ground. This is due to the acceleration of gravity causing the projectile to gain speed as
it falls.

Apparatus and Method

Procedure
1. The apparatus was set up by placing the two books on top of each other on the
table. The books were touching each other, and the top book was hanging off the
edge of the table, forming an inclined plane.
2. A piece of painter's tape was placed on the ground directly below the edge of the
table where the ball would fall.
3. One person held the ball at the top of the inclined plane, ready to drop it.
4. The other person was ready with the timer and ruler.
5. When both people were ready, the person holding the ball released it so that it
fell down the inclined plane and hit the ground.
6. As soon as the ball hit the ground, the timer was started.
7. The person with the ruler measured the horizontal distance from the edge of the
table to where the ball hit the ground and recorded this value and the amount of
time.
8. Steps 3-7 were repeated for a total of 10 trials.
9. The data was analyzed to draw conclusions about the motion of the ball and its
trajectory.

Observations
Experimental Results
Trial dy (m) dx (m) Δh (m) t (s)
1 0.948 0.4 0.07 0.26
2 0.948 0.415 0.07 0.25
3 0.948 0.41 0.07 0.39
4 0.948 0.42 0.07 0.36
5 0.948 0.409 0.07 0.26
6 0.948 0.417 0.07 0.30
7 0.948 0.407 0.07 0.31
8 0.948 0.416 0.07 0.23
9 0.948 0.409 0.07 0.35
10 0.948 0.414 0.07 0.30
 Average Experimental Results
dxav (m) dyav (m) Δhav (m) tav (s)
0.4117 0.948 0.07 0.301

Calculations and Manipulations

Finding Vinitial, Viy, Vx and Vfinal from average experimental data above:

Knowns Unknows

𝛥𝑑𝑥 = 0.4117𝑚[𝐸] 𝑣𝑖 , 𝑣𝑥 , 𝑣𝑖𝑦, 𝑣𝑓

𝛥𝑑𝑦 = 0.948𝑚[𝑆]

𝛥𝑡 = 0.301𝑠

𝑔 = −9.8𝑚⁄ 2
𝑠
Solving
𝛥 𝑥 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝛥𝑑 𝑥 = ⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑣𝑥 ⋅ 𝛥𝑡 = ⃗⃗⃗ 𝑣𝑖 = cos 𝑑𝜃⋅𝛥𝑡
𝑣𝑖 cos 𝜃𝛥𝑡 ⇒ ⃗⃗⃗
1
⃗⃗⃗⃗ 𝑣𝑖𝑦 𝛥𝑡 + 2 𝑔𝛥𝑡 2 = −𝑣
𝛥𝑑 𝑦 = ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗𝑖 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃 𝛥𝑡 −0.5𝑔 𝛥𝑡 2

𝑚 𝑚
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ −0.948 −0.5∗−9.8 2 ⋅0.301𝑠2
⃗⃗⃗⃗𝑦 = −𝛥𝑑 𝑥 ⋅ sin 𝜃 ⋅ 𝛥𝑡 + 0.5𝑔𝛥𝑡 2 ⇒ 𝜃 = tan−1 (𝛥𝑑𝑦 −0.5𝑔⃗⋅𝛥𝑡⋅𝛥𝑡) = tan−1 (
𝛥𝑑 𝑠 𝑠
) = 50.7588825°
cos 𝜃⋅𝛥𝑡 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
−𝛥 𝑑𝑥 −0.4117𝑚

⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝛥 𝑑𝑥 0.4117𝑚 𝑚
𝑣𝑖 = 𝛥𝑡⋅cos
⃗⃗⃗ = cos(50.5788825)0.301𝑠 = 2.162197187𝑚/𝑠 = 2.16 [𝐸50.8°𝑆]
𝜃 𝑠
𝑚 m 𝑚
𝑣𝑥 = 𝑣
⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗𝑖𝑥 = ⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑣𝑓 𝑥 = ⃗⃗⃗
𝑣𝑖 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃 = 2.1622 cos50.7589° = 1.367774086 = 1.37 [𝐸]
𝑠 s 𝑠
𝑚 𝑚 𝑚
𝑣𝑖 𝑦 = −𝑣
⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗𝑖 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃 = −2.162197187 sin(50.7589°) = −1.67460661 = 1.67 [𝑆]
𝑠 𝑠 𝑠

2 𝑚 2 𝑚 𝑚 𝑚
𝑣𝑓 𝑦 + 𝑣𝑥2 , ⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑣𝑓 = √⃗⃗⃗⃗
⃗⃗⃗⃗ 2
𝑣𝑓 𝑦 = √𝑣𝑖𝑦 + 2𝑔⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝛥𝑑 𝑥 = √(−1.6746 𝑠 ) + 2 (−9.8 𝑠 ) (−0.948𝑚) = 4.62440166 𝑠
= 4.62 𝑠
[𝑆]

𝑚 2 𝑚 2 𝑚
𝑣𝑓 = √(−4.6244 𝑠 ) + (1.36777 𝑠 ) = 4.822436797
⃗⃗⃗⃗ 𝑠
𝑣𝑥
⃗⃗⃗⃗

⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑣𝑓 𝑚
−1 𝑦 −1
4.62440166
𝑠
𝑣𝑓 𝑦
⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝜃 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛 ( ⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑣
) = 𝑡𝑎𝑛 ( 𝑚 ) = 73.52° 𝑣𝐹
⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑥 1.367774086
𝑠

𝑚 𝑚
𝑣𝑓 = 4.82
⃗⃗⃗⃗ [𝐸73.520 𝑆] , 𝑣𝑓 𝑦 = −𝑣
⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ 𝑓 sin 𝜃 = −4.82244 sin(73.52) = 4.62𝑚/𝑠[𝑆]
𝑠 𝑠
Questions
1- What is the vertical component of the initial launch velocity?
Answer: The vertical component of the initial launch velocity is 1.67 𝑚𝑠 [𝑆]

2- What is the horizontal component of the initial launch velocity?

Answer: The horizontal component of the initial launch velocity is 1.37 𝑚𝑠 [𝐸]

3- What is the average impact velocity of the projectile?

Answer: The average impact velocity of the projectile is 4.82 𝑚𝑠 [𝐸73.520 𝑆]

Experimental Uncertainties
Error percentage for initial velocity
𝑚
𝛥ℎ = 0.1𝑚 𝑔 = 9.8 m.v = 2.162197187𝑚/𝑠
𝑠2

10 10 𝑚
Accepted value of initial velocity (a.v) = √ 𝑔𝛥ℎ = √ ⋅ 9.8 ⋅ 0.1𝑚 =
7 7 𝑠2
𝑚
1.183215957
𝑠
𝑚 𝑚
|𝑚.𝑣−𝑎.𝑣| |2.1621997187 −1.183215957 |
𝑠 𝑠
% Error = × 100 = 𝑚 × 100 = 97.90%
𝑎.𝑣 1.183215957
𝑠

One possible reason for the high percentage error in the experiment could be the
limitations of the measurement devices used. The ruler and timer used to measure the
horizontal and vertical distances and time may have had limitations in their precision,
leading to inaccuracies in the measurements. Additionally, the effect of air resistance on
the motion of the ball could have impacted the trajectory and speed of the ball,
resulting in discrepancies in the measured values. Another factor that could have
contributed to the error is the surface of the books not being smooth, which could have
led to inconsistencies in the motion of the ball and its interaction with the surface.
Percentage error for the angle 𝜃
𝛥ℎ = 0.1𝑚 𝐿 = 0.28𝑚 m.a = 50.7588825°
𝛥ℎ 0.1𝑚
Accepted angel = a.a = 𝑠𝑖𝑛−1 ( ) = sin−1 ( ) = 20.925°
𝐿 0.28𝑚

|m.a −𝑎.𝑎| |50.7588825°−20.925°|

% Error = × 100 = × 100 = 142.57°
𝑎.𝑎 20.925°

The reason for this high percentage is because of not having the proper equipment tool
to measure the angle properly.

Conclusion
Based on the results of the experiment, it can be concluded that the hypothesis
was correct. The initial velocity of the projectile had a vertical component of
1.67m/s [s], and as it fell towards the ground, it gained speed due to the
acceleration of gravity. This led to an increase in the vertical component of the
final velocity, which was found to be 4.62m/s [s]. These results confirm that the
acceleration of gravity played a significant role in the motion of the projectile,
causing it to increase in speed as it fell towards the ground.
 Part II: Ground to ground projectile motion

Purpose
The purpose of this activity was to determine the initial and impact velocity of a
projectile by measuring the range and time of flight at a certain projection angle and
compare time of flight and horizontal displacement at different launching angles.

Hypothesis
The hypothesis is that if the projectile is launched with the same force thus resulting in
the same velocity but in two different angles which is 30 and 60 degrees, the range of
the projectile is going to be same for the two different angles. We can prove this
theoretically by the following:
2
𝑚 ⃗⃗⃗
𝑣𝑖 sin 2𝜃
𝜃1 = 30° 𝜃2 = 60° 𝑣
⃗⃗⃗1 = ⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑣2 = 𝑣 𝑔 = 9.8 𝑅=
𝑠2 𝑔

⃗ 2 sin 2𝜃1
𝑣 ⃗ 2 sin 2𝜃2
𝑣
𝑅1 = , 𝑅2 = ,
𝑔 𝑔

√3
⃗ 2 𝑠𝑖𝑛(2⋅30° )
𝑣 ⃗ 2 𝑠𝑖𝑛(60° )
𝑣 ⃗2
𝑣
2
𝑅1 = = = 𝑅1 = 𝑅2
𝑔 𝑔 𝑔

√3
⃗ 2 𝑠𝑖𝑛(2⋅306 )
𝑣 ⃗ 2 𝑠𝑖𝑛(120° )
𝑣 ⃗2
𝑣
2
𝑅2 = = =
3 𝑔 𝑔

Apparatus and Method

Procedure
1. The projectile launcher was set up and calibrated according to the instructions.
2. One group member placed the projectile on the ground and held it tightly.
3. Another group member adjusted the angle of the launcher to the desired angle,
based on the hypothesis being tested. Two angles were selected, 30 degrees and
60 degrees, and each angle was tested 5 times.
4. A third group member operated the launcher to launch the projectile, while a
fourth group member used a stopwatch to record the time of flight.
5. Another group member measured the horizontal distance traveled by the
projectile using a tape measure, starting from the point of launch to the point
where the projectile landed and then recorded by group members.
6. Steps 3-5 were repeated for each trial, with group members switching roles as
necessary.

Observations
Experimental Results
Launching angle(θ) dx (m) Δt (s)
30 2.31 0.37
30 2.32 0.36
30 2.305 0.373
30 2.29 0.367
30 2.306 0.369
60 2.301 0.64
60 2.402 0.62
60 2.309 0.646
60 2.34 0.637
60 2.311 0.640

Average Experimental Results

Launching angle(θ) R (m) T (s)
30 2.3062 0.3678
60 2.2786 0.6366
Calculations and Manipulations
By using the average Experimental results, the initial velocities of the projectiles with
30- and 60-degree angles can be found, recall that the initial velocity of the projectile
with 30-degree angel and the initial velocity of the projectile with 60-degree angle are
the same and the only difference is the angles they have with the ground. Therefore,
the initial velocity of the object can be found just by using one of the angels which is 30
and 60 degrees. For simplicity the 30-degree angle will be used.
𝜃 = 30°
𝑣1 = 𝑣2 = 𝑣
T = 0.3678s
R = 2.3062m

𝑚
𝑣𝑖 2 sin 2𝜃 𝑅𝑔 2.3062𝑚⋅9.8 2
𝑅= ⇒ 𝑣𝑖 = √ =√ 𝑠
= 5.11𝑚/𝑠
𝑔 sin 2𝜃 sin(60)

𝑚 𝑚
𝑣1𝑖 = 5.11 [E30N] 𝑣2𝑖 = 5.11 [E60N]
𝑠 𝑠

As it is known when a projectile is launched from the ground at a certain angle and with
a certain initial velocity, it follows a curved path through the air until it hits the ground
again. When neglecting air resistance, the only force acting on the projectile during its
flight is gravity. As the projectile moves through the air, it experiences a constant
downward acceleration due to gravity, which causes it to follow a parabolic path. The
initial velocity determines the horizontal and vertical components of the projectile's
motion. Since there is no force acting on the projectile in the horizontal direction, its
horizontal velocity remains constant throughout its flight. As the projectile reaches its
maximum height, its vertical velocity momentarily becomes zero before it starts to
accelerate downward again due to gravity. At the point of impact, the projectile's
vertical velocity is equal in magnitude to the initial vertical velocity, but in the opposite
direction. The projectile's horizontal velocity remains constant, so the impact velocity is
also equal in magnitude to the initial horizontal velocity. Thus, neglecting air resistance,
the initial and impact velocities of a projectile in ground-to-ground motion are equal.
Therefore:
𝑚 𝑚
𝑣1𝑓 = 5.11 [E30S] 𝑣2𝑓 = 5.11 [E60S]
𝑠 𝑠

Experimental Uncertainties
Finding the percent difference between the two calculated initial speeds.
a) Percent difference for the projectile with 30-degree angel.
Launching angle(θ) R (m) Δt (s)
30 2.31 0.37
30 2.32 0.36
𝑚
𝑅1𝑔 2.31𝑚⋅9.8 2
𝑣1 = √ =√ 𝑠
= 5.1127𝑚/𝑠
sin 2𝜃 sin(60)

𝑚
𝑅2𝑔 2.32𝑚⋅9.8 2
𝑣2 = √ =√ 𝑠
= 5.1238𝑚/𝑠
sin 2𝜃 sin(60)

𝑚 𝑚
|𝑣1 −𝑣2 | |5.1127 −5.1238 |
𝑠 𝑠
%diff = 𝑣1 +𝑣2 × 100 = 𝑚
5.1127 +5.1238
𝑚 × 100 = 0.216%
2 𝑠 𝑠
2

b) Percent difference for the projectile with 60-degree angel.

Launching angle(θ) R (m) Δt (s)
60 2.309 0.646
60 2.34 0.637
𝑚
𝑅1𝑔 2.309𝑚⋅9.8 2
𝑣1 = √ =√ 𝑠
= 5.1116𝑚/𝑠
sin 2𝜃 sin(120)

𝑚
𝑅2𝑔 2.34𝑚⋅9.8 2
𝑣2 = √ =√ 𝑠
= 5.1458𝑚/𝑠
sin 2𝜃 sin(120)

𝑚 𝑚
|𝑣1 −𝑣2 | |5.1116 −5.1458 |
𝑠 𝑠
%diff = 𝑣1 +𝑣2 × 100 = 𝑚
5.1116 +5.1458
𝑚 × 100 = 0.667%
2 𝑠 𝑠
2
Questions
1- What is the initial velocity for each launching angle?
𝑚 𝑚
Answer: 𝑣1𝑖 = 5.11 [E30N] 𝑣2𝑖 = 5.11 [E60N]
𝑠 𝑠

2- What is the impact velocity for each launching angle?

𝑚 𝑚
Answer: 𝑣1𝑓 = 5.11 [E30S] 𝑣2𝑓 = 5.11 [E60S]
𝑠 𝑠

3- Compare the time of flight and horizontal displacement for both launching
angles. Explain the similarities and differences.
Answer: as stated and proved earlier the horizontal displacement of both projectiles are
the same. But the time of flight for the projectile with 60-degree angle is longer than the
30 degree one. This is because the 60-degree angle projectile has a bigger vertical initial
velocity component than the 30 degree one, so it is going to take more time for it to
reach the ground.

Conclusion
The hypothesis stated above was true and indeed the two projectiles had the same
range.