CP PHYSICS
PROJECTILE MOTION LAB
Name: _____________________
___ period
Objective: To predict the landing location of a horizontal projectile.
Materials: ball, ruler, meter sticks, photo gates (with ring stands and clamps), books
Procedures:
1.
Get a steel ball and let the ball roll off the table several times. Record your observations
of its motion in the initial observations section of the lab.
2.
Set up a ramp as seen in the figure below. Use two sets of triangular meter sticks
propped up on three to five textbooks.
3.
Measure the height of the lab station table and record in the data section of the lab.
4.
Place the photogates at 20 cm and 80 cm along the horizontal meter sticks of the setup.
5.
Release the ball 10 cm from the top of the ramp. Record the time measured by the
photogates in the data table. DO NOT LET THE BALL HIT THE FLOOR AT ANY TIME!!!
6.
Repeat step #5 four more times and record the data.
7.
Determine the average distances and times traveled by the steel ball. Record these
values in the data table.
8.
Analyze your data and calculate the predicted landing location of your ball. Show all
calculations in the analysis section of your lab report.
9.
Perform the experiment for your teacher who will place a cup to catch the ball at your
predicted landing location.
10.
Answer the conclusion questions.
Initial Observations:
CP PHYSICS, PROJECTILE MOTION LAB, page 2
Data:
Height of the lab station:
Trial
______________ m
Time (s)
Distance (m)
1
2
3
4
5
Average
Analysis:
1.
Calculate the horizontal velocity (vx) of the ball using the average distance and
average time traveled by the ball.
2.
Calculate the time it will take the ball to fall and hit the floor from the top of the lab
station.
3.
Calculate where the ball will hit the floor using vx (#1) and the time to fall (#2).
This is the location to tell your teacher where to place the cup for the ball to land in.
Conclusions:
Where you able to get the ball in the cup on the first try? If no, what could be responsible for
you miscalculating the ball’s landing location? Explain in detail!!!