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Period 4
AP Projectile Practicum
Apparatus:
Part 1
Projectile launcher
Carbon Paper
White Paper
Measuring Tape
Projectile – a metal ball
Target Board
Tape
An innovative but long method to experimentally determine
the initial velocity of the projectile
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vo
As in the diagram above, a ball is repeatedly launched horizontally out of a projectile
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launcher at a muzzle velocity of vo . The ball travels a horizontal distance x and drops a
vertical distance y before it hits the board.
a. Create an equation that could be used to find y as a function of x but not time.
Your answer should be in terms of stated variables and fundamental constants.
Show your work below.
AP Projectile Practicum
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page 2
Adjust the Mini Launcher to zero degrees so the ball will be shot horizontally.
Cover the target board with a column of white paper.
Put the steel ball into the Mini Launcher and then use the plunger to cock it to the
long-range position (3 clicks).
Using the carbon paper, move the board to several different horizontal distances
(x) from the projectile launcher and experimentally gather at least six data points
and record them in the table below. Be sure to record the distance the ball falls
(y), not its height off the floor when it hits the target board.
0
Horizontal Distance
x (m)
Vertical Distance
y (m)
0
0
0
b. Given your result in (a), what quantities should be graphed in order to produce a
linear relationship between the two quantities?
c. Calculate values for any of the quantities identified in (b) that are not given in the
data, and record these values in the table above. Label the column heading,
including units.
AP Projectile Practicum
page 3
d. On the axis below, plot the quantities you indicated in (b). Label the axis with the
variables, units and appropriate numbers to indicate the scale.
e. Sketch a best-fit straight line through the data.
f. Using the graph, calculate an experimental slope for your line of best fit. Use two
points from your line of best fit, use appropriate units and show your work
g. Using LoggerPro, plot the quantities you indicated in (b). Create a math model
for the graph using appropriate variables and units. Was your line of best fit in
(d) accurate? Do a percent error calculation between the slope you calculated
using the graph in (e) and the slope found using LoggerPro.
AP Projectile Practicum
page 4
h. Using information from the LoggerPro graph (slope) and the result of (a)
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calculate the initial velocity vo  of the projectile as it leaves the launcher.
Part 2
Shooting Into The Coffee Can!
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Once you have determined the muzzle velocity vo  in Part 1, calculate the range of
the projectile when shot at 0° and place the coffee can so that the ball will go through
the top of the can. Call Mr. K over to see your first attempt.
Do not launch the ball until you are ready for your first attempt!
Hints:
 Be sure that the launcher is at 0° during the entire practicum.
 There is a diagram on the side of the launcher that shows from exactly where the
ball is launched.
 Be sure all measurements are in meters.
 Remember, you want to shoot the ball through the top of the coffee can!
Show your work below!