Experiment 3: Projectile Motion Part 1

EQUIPMENT

Computer capable of running html simulation

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2 Experiment 3: Projectile Motion Part 1

Advance Reading We will analyze the motion of the projectile using

the kinematic equations, separated into x- and y-
Text: 2-D Projectile Motion (Serway and Vuille 3.1- components. The only connection between the motion
3.2) in the x-direction and the motion in the y-direction is
that they both take place during the same time interval
Objective
t.
The objective of this lab is to investigate projectile mo-
vx = v0x + ax t
tion, first when a projectile is fired horizontally, and
x = x0 + v0x t + 12 ax t2
then when a projectile is fired from a non-zero angle
vx2 = v0x
2
+ 2ax Δx
of elevation.
and
Theory
vy = v0y + ay t
Projectile motion is an example of motion with a con- y = y0 + v0y t + 12 ay t2
stant acceleration, with an initial velocity in any direc- vy2 = v0y
2
+ 2ay Δy
tion (horizontal, vertical, or at an angle). An object is
considered to be a projectile when the only force acting
on the object is gravity - so we are ignoring air resis-
tance and starting our calculations the moment after
the object has been launched and ending our calcula-
tions the moment before the object lands.

Gravity is a force between two objects with mass. The

force of gravity on the projectile will be directed to-
ward the center of the Earth - downward. The ac-
celeration of the projectile will be due only to grav-
ity and therefore the x-component of the acceleration
will be zero and the y-component of the acceleration
will be directed downward and have a magnitude of
g = 9.80m/s2 .

To predict where a projectile will land, one must know

the object’s starting position, �r0 , initial velocity, �v0 ,
and the acceleration it experiences, �a . Position as a
function of time is then described as:

ax = 0

ay = −9.80m/s2

Because the x-component of the acceleration is zero,

the motion in the x-direction will be constant-velocity
motion. Because the y-component of the acceleration
is equal to a constant value of −9.80m/s2 , the motion
in the y-direction will be constant-acceleration motion.
Both of these motions are happening simultaneously -
the projectile is moving forward in the x-direction with
constant velocity while it is accelerated downward due
to gravity.
Prelab 3: Projectile Motion Part 1 3

Name:

1. What is projectile motion?

2. Find the initial velocity, v0 , of a ball rolling off the table in the figure below. The launch position is the origin of
the coordinate system, positive directions as specified.

3. Using the table height and launch speed from the previous question, predict the final landing distance in the x
direction if the launcher is adjusted to an angle of 40◦ .
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Name: Section: Date:

Worksheet - Exp 4: Projectile Motion Part 1

Objective: The objective of this lab is to investigate projectile motion, first when a projectile is fired horizontally,
and then when a projectile is fired from a non-zero angle of elevation.

PROCEDURE

Part 1: Horizontal Launch (θ0 = 0◦ )

1. Open the Projectile Motion simulation in your browser and select the ”Lab” option. Ensure gravity is set to 9.80
m/s2 and the ”air resistance” box is unmarked.
2. Set the initial height of the object as 5m by clicking and dragging the crosshairs at the back of the cannon.

3. Set the launch angle to 0◦ by clicking and dragging the front of the cannon.
4. Choose the origin of your coordinate system. You will need to decide whether the origin is at the launch position
or at the ground, and which direction is positive and which is negative. Record your decision below: (5 points)

5. Set the initial launch velocity to 10 m/s by clicking the arrows or dragging the slider under ”Initial Speed”.
6. Predict the time of flight and landing position using the kinematic equations and record them in the table on the
next page (x(m) (calc) and t(s) calc)), show your work here. (15 points)

7. Fire the cannon by clicking the red fire button. Drag the investigation device from the the top right of the screen
and measure the time of flight and landing position of the projectile by placing the crosshairs at the landing
position. Record these values in the table.
8. Compare your calculated and experimental values for time of flight and landing position and record the percent
error in the table.

9. Repeat steps 1 through 8 for initial velocities of 15 m/s and 20 m/s.

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Horizontal Fire Data (10 points)

v0 (m/s) x (m) (calc) x (m) (meas) x (m) (% error) t (s) (calc) t (s) (meas) t (s) (% error)

10

15

20

10. a) Does the time of flight change as the initial velocity is increased? b) Is this the result you would have expected?
Why or why not? (5 points)

11. Mark the ”air resistance” box and fire the projectile at the same three initial velocities and investigate changes.
Does the time of flight change from no air resistance? Does the time of flight now differ when the velocity is
increased from 10 m/s to 15 m/s and 20 m/s? (5 points)
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Part 2: Launch from non-zero angle of elevation

12. Reset the Projectile Motion simulation in your browser by clicking the reset button on the bottom right of the
screen. Ensure gravity is set to 9.80 m/s2 and the ”air resistance” box is unmarked.

13. Set the initial height of the object as 5m by clicking and dragging the crosshairs at the back of the cannon.
14. Set the launch angle to 30◦ by clicking and dragging the front of the cannon.
15. Choose the origin of your coordinate system. You will need to decide whether the origin is at the launch position
or at the ground, and which direction is positive and which is negative. Record your decision below: (5 points)

16. Set the initial launch velocity to 10 m/s by clicking the arrows or dragging the slider under ”Initial Speed”.

17. Predict the time of flight and landing position using the kinematic equations and record them in the table on the
next page (x(m) (calc) and t(s) calc)), show your work here. (15 points)

18. Fire the cannon by clicking the red fire button. Drag the investigation device from the the top right of the screen
and measure the time of flight and landing position of the projectile by placing the crosshairs at the landing
position. Record these values in the table.
19. Compare your calculated and experimental values for time of flight and landing position and record the percent
error in the table.

20. Repeat steps 12 through 19 for initial velocities of 15 m/s and 20 m/s.
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Non-horizontal Fire Data (10 points)

v0 (m/s) x (m) (calc) x (m) (meas) x (m) (% error) t (s) (calc) t (s) (meas) t (s) (% error)

10

15

20

21. a) Does the time of flight change as the initial velocity is increased? b) Is this the result you would have expected?
Why or why not? (5 points)

22. Mark the ”air resistance” box and fire the projectile at the same three initial velocities and investigate changes.
Does the time of flight change from no air resistance? Does the time of flight now differ when the velocity is
increased from 10 m/s to 15 m/s and 20 m/s? (5 points)
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Part 3: Conceptual Questions

23. If a projectile has twice the mass but the same initial velocity, what effect would this have on its the horizontal
range of the projectile? Ignore air resistance. (5 points)

24. When an archer fires an arrow at a target, should they aim directly at the bullseye? If not, where should they
aim? Discuss whether your answer depends on the distance between the archer and the target. (5 points)

25. When firing from a non-zero angle of elevation at ground level, assuming zero air resistance, what angle will
achieve maximum range? Explain your reasoning and test your answer using the simulation (5 points)

26. If air resistance is present, does the angle for maximum range increase or decrease? Explain your reasoning and
test your answer using the simulation. (5 points)