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Title: PROJECTILE MOTION
Purpose
Predict the landing spot of a projectile launched horizontally from an elevated platform.
Concept
Objects such as golf balls and basketballs that move through the air in a curved path are called
projectiles. For a projectile that is launched horizontally and falls towards the ground, the
horizontal distance it travels can be predicted in advance from the height off of the ground and
the launch velocity. In this experiment, you will predict the horizontal range of a projectile using
measurements of height.
Materials
meter stick; masking tape; inclined ramp; books; marble; cup.
Procedure
Part A - Low Incline
1. Set one end of an inclined ramp on a few books so that the marble will roll down on its own.
2. Measure the height the marble loses as it rolls down the ramp and record.
3. Measure the vertical distance the marble will fall from the table and record.
4. Use the measurement data and formulas provided to predict the horizontal distance the cup
needs to be from the bottom of the table in order for the marble to land inside.
5. Let the marble roll down the ramp and measure the horizontal distance that it actually
traveled.
Part B - Medium Incline
1. Repeat the experiment with the ramp at a slightly higher angle.
Part C - Highest Incline
1. Repeat the experiment with the ramp at a higher angle.
Observations and Data:
Part A - Low Incline
Ramp
Table
Height (m) height (m)
Launch
velocity
(m/s)
Time in
the air (s)
Predicted
range (m)
Actual
range(m)
Launch
velocity
(m/s)
Time in
the air (s)
Predicted
range (m)
Actual
range(m)
Launch
velocity
(m/s)
Time in
the air (s)
Predicted
range (m)
Actual
range(m)
Part B - Medium Incline
Ramp
Table
Height (m) height (m)
Part C - Highest Incline
Ramp
Table
Height (m) height (m)
Analysis
Make a graph of horizontal range (vertical axis) versus launch velocity for part A, B, and C.
1. Calculate the variation of the predicted ranges to the actual ranges for trials A, B, and C.
2. What factors could account for the difference between the predicted ranges and the actual
ranges. Explain.
Application
If a rock was thrown horizontally, 14 m/s off of a 65 m high cliff, how long would it take to hit
the ground? How much horizontal distance would it travel? Draw a diagram and calculate below.