Physics Experiment
Range of a Projectile - 2
Discussion:
The text makes several claims regarding the range of a projectile
launched at an angle, namely:
- the maximum range of the projectile occurs at a launch angle
of 45o with respect to the horizontal.
- a projectile launched at an angle q
with respect to the horizontal will have the same range as a
projectile launched at an angle of 90o - q.
Your job is to design and execute an experiment to test these
predictions.
Equipment:
Equipment used for this investigation might include:
Pasco projectile launcher
|
2.5 cm projectile
|
metric tape measure
|
carbon paper
|
c-clamp
|
goggles
|
Suggestions:
- The statements above are valid only if the projectile lands at
the same height at which it is launched. Therefore, you have to
construct a "landing zone" from a stack of books/magazines (or
something) so that the projectile is caught at the same height as
the "mouth" of the projectile launcher.
- Fasten the projectile launcher to the lab table with a c-clamp
to prevent it from moving during your measurements.
- Use the "ramrod" to push the projectile down into the barrel
of the launcher. The launcher will shoot the projectile at 3
different speeds. You will hear and feel a click as the projectile
reaches each position in the barrel. Indoors, low or medium speed
is best.
- The precise landing spot of the projectile can be difficult to
judge. However, if you place a sheet of scrap paper on the top of
your "landing zone", and place a piece of carbon paper upside down
on the paper, the projectile will leave a mark where it
lands.
Safety Issues:
- You are incredibly unlikely to be injured by the plastic
projectile, however:
- wear goggles at all times
- keep your face away from the end of the barrel of the
projectile launcher.
Lab Writeup:
Write a "RERUN"
style report for this lab.
last update September 17, 2001 by JL
Stanbrough