Physics 111A - Lab Report
Lab 111: Projectile Motion (Two-Dimensional Motion)
Introduction
The purpose of this experiment was to investigate the factors affecting projectile motion and
explore the relationship between launch angle, launch height, and horizontal distance traveled. In
our experiment we explored how launch angle affects how far a projectile travels, or its range by
applying kinematic equations for linear motion.
Theoretical Background
Two-dimensional motion describes the movement of an object along two independent directions
simultaneously. An example of this is projectile motion: the study of an object’s movement
through the air relative to gravity. To analyze projectile motion we separate the movement into
two independent components: horizontal and vertical. Horizontally, the projectile experiences no
acceleration and moves with a constant velocity. Vertically, the projectile accelerates due to
gravity at a constant rate of 9.8 m/s^2. The projectile can be characterized through the following
equations:
Horizontal velocity : vx=v0cosθ
Vertical velocity: v0sinθ-gt
Horizontal Displacement: x=v0xt=v0cosθ t
Vertical Displacement: y=y0+v0yt-1/2gt^2=v0sinθ t -1/2gt^2
Procedure
The Equipment used in this experiment included:
- Wireless Smart Gate
- Steel ball
- Mini launcher with a launcher bracket
- Table clamp
- White Paper
- Carbon Paper
Lab 111: Projectile Motion (Two-Dimensional Motion)
Introduction
The purpose of this experiment was to investigate the factors affecting projectile motion and
explore the relationship between launch angle, launch height, and horizontal distance traveled. In
our experiment we explored how launch angle affects how far a projectile travels, or its range by
applying kinematic equations for linear motion.
Theoretical Background
Two-dimensional motion describes the movement of an object along two independent directions
simultaneously. An example of this is projectile motion: the study of an object’s movement
through the air relative to gravity. To analyze projectile motion we separate the movement into
two independent components: horizontal and vertical. Horizontally, the projectile experiences no
acceleration and moves with a constant velocity. Vertically, the projectile accelerates due to
gravity at a constant rate of 9.8 m/s^2. The projectile can be characterized through the following
equations:
Horizontal velocity : vx=v0cosθ
Vertical velocity: v0sinθ-gt
Horizontal Displacement: x=v0xt=v0cosθ t
Vertical Displacement: y=y0+v0yt-1/2gt^2=v0sinθ t -1/2gt^2
Procedure
The Equipment used in this experiment included:
- Wireless Smart Gate
- Steel ball
- Mini launcher with a launcher bracket
- Table clamp
- White Paper
- Carbon Paper
