Team # ____________ Name: _________________________________________ Date: __________
Projectile Motion Lab
Find the muzzle velocity for your cannon on the medium range setting. Show any
calculations.
Show your work
Calculating the Trajectory (Path) for a cannon ball shot horizontally from the top of the
platform.
For projectile motion situations in this lab, use a coordinate system with positive up and y=0 on
the floor and x=0 under the center of the cannon ball picture on the cannon.
Predict by Calculating: You now know the muzzle
velocity, which is the initial velocity of the cannon.
Since the cannon will be shot at an angle of zero
degrees, there will be no y-component. With
constant velocity in the horizontal direction, you
can now fill thin the chart for vix, vfx, and viy.
x-components
y-components
xi = 0
yi =_____
yf = ?
viy = 0
vfy =
vix =_____ vfx =_____
ay = -9.81 m/s2
ax = 0
Measure the starting height of your cannon ball
ti =0
center and place that value in the chart for the
initial y location. Your instructor will give you a
final x position and you are to calculate the
predicted height of the cannon ball when it reaches this x position.
Using the values you have, circle the
variables that you know in each
equation.
x =_____
x-component of motion
Next for the scaler quantities:
tf =_____
y-component of motion
v
v
x
t
a
y
t
v y
t
x  viy t 
1
a yt 2
2
Team # ____________ Name: _________________________________________ Date: __________
Solve any equations possible until you have found the height of the cannon ball at the given x
position.
 Shoot the cannon and test your prediction. Make 5-10 shots and estimate the uncertainty in your
measured y from the scatter of the marks.
Predicted value: _______________
Measured value: _______________+/- ______________
If your predicted value is within the range of your measured value including the uncertainty then your
have confirmed the prediction. If it is not, then you must suggest a reason. Human error is NOT a valid
reason.
Did you confirm your prediction? If yes, explain why. If no, give a possible explanation.
Team # ____________ Name: _________________________________________ Date: __________
Predict by Calculating:
Your instructor will give you a final y position and
you are to calculate the predicted x-position of
the cannon ball when it reaches this height.
Using the values you have, circle the variables
that you know in each equation.
x-components
y-components
x=?
xi = 0
yi =_____ yf = _____
vix =_____ vfx =_____
viy = 0
vfy =
ay = -9.81 m/s2
ax = 0
Next for the scaler quantities:
Solve any equations possible until you have found
the x position.
ti =0
tf =_____
Show your work
x-component of motion
y-component of motion
v
v
x
t
a
y
t
v y
t
x  viy t 
1
a yt 2
2
 Shoot the cannon and test your prediction. Make 5-10 shots and estimate the uncertainty in your
measured x from the scatter of the marks.
Predicted value: _______________
Measured value: _______________+/- ______________
Did you confirm your prediction? If yes, explain why. If no, give a possible explanation.
Team # ____________ Name: _________________________________________ Date: __________
Grading sheet for Projectile Motion Lab:
Muzzle
velocity
Muzzle Velocity Calculations shown and
include units. Data is clear and presented in
an orderly format.
Find height
Calculations for y given a final x. All
equations and values shown in tables. Work
neat and easy to follow. Equations given
before numbers are plugged in. Solutions are
boxed.
Measured Value and Uncertainty:
All
reasoning for uncertainty is stated. Data is
presented in correct format and calculation shown
for reported value.
Compare Measured and Predicted
values: Reasoning is shown and explanation
Score
0-2
Score
0-2
Score
0-2
Score
0-2
given.
Find horizontal position
Calculations for x given a final y. All
equations and values shown in tables. Work
neat and easy to follow. Equations given
before numbers are plugged in. Solutions are
boxed.
Measured Value and Uncertainty:
All
reasoning for uncertainty is stated. Data is
presented in correct format and calculation shown
for reported value.
Compare Measured and Predicted
values: Reasoning is shown and explanation
Score
0-2
Score
0-2
Score
0-2
given.
Writing is clear, neat, and
Presentation grammatically correct with complete
sentences.
Total points out of 16
Score
0-2