Projectile Motion – PHY 141/161
Introduction: Measure kinematic quantities for a ball launched horizontally from
a tabletop by a spring-loaded device. Use these to calculate the initial speed of
the ball. Predict the range and maximum height of the ball’s trajectory, when
launched at an upward angle, and verify experimentally. Answer the following
questions.
1.
2.
3.
4.
What is the initial speed of the ball?
Overall, are the maximum height predictions accurate?
Overall, are the range predictions accurate?
What is the nature of the differences between the predictions and the
experimental results? Are these random or systematic?
Data: Table 1 (horizontal launch), Table 2 & Graph (upward angle launches).
Analysis: Here is where numbers from the data are quoted and detailed
comparisons are made. For the first part, show H, Ravg, R and v0.
For each angle:
1. Give .
2. State whether the predicted height H’ was correct.
3. Show and compare the prediction (R’TH ± R’TH), where R’THR , and the
result (R’EXP ± R’EXP).
Conclusion: Provide final answers to the questions presented in the Introduction.
It is not necessary to quote again the numbers from the Analysis.
Additional Questions: Please answer Selected Questions 1-5 in the physics
department labs webpage “Projectile Motion” lab instructions.