Tony Alameda

Brett Bailey
Nolan Nadasdy
Julian Perkins
Mr. Hill
Physics, Period 6
13 October 2015
Velocity of a Projectile Lab:
Introduction:
In the Velocity of a Projectile Lab, we were given the task of designing an
experiment with only the ending questions provided. In class, we were handed the
materials used for the experiment, and from there, we had to take initiative and
construct our own procedure in order to answer the questions presented. Our objectives
during this lab were to measure the velocity of projectiles in terms of horizontal
displacement during free fall, and compare the velocity and acceleration of projectiles
accelerated down different inclined planes. With these objectives and materials
provided, we began to make progress on our lab experiment.
Procedure:
1. Set up a ramp with a wooden plank so that the raised end is in the center
of the table and the lower end is at the edge of the table.
2. Then get a marble and some carbon paper, and find a spot to release the
marble from on the ramp. The carbon paper will mark the spots that the marble
has landed from dropping off of the table. Make sure that the their is a smooth
ramp so that the marble wont hit the table before it drops.
3. Measure the angle of the ramp, the height and length from where you are
dropping the marble, and then let go of the marble from where you measured a
length.
4. The marble will land on the carbon paper, so you should be able to
remove the carbon paper and see where the mark from the marble was left.
Measure the length of the edge of the table to the mark of the marble, and record
that measurement. This will be your displacement.

5. Replace the carbon paper, and redo the trials from a different height and
length. Repeat steps 3,4.
6. Now, change the inclined plane. Use a different angle by adjusting the
height of the ramp by raising or lowering its height on its higher end. By raising
the the ramps height, you can increase the angle, and by lowering the height,
you can decrease the angle. Find the measure of your new angle, and record
your results.
7. Repeat step 3 and 4 with your new angle.
8. Make sure you have taken 3 measurements with 3 different heights and
lengths, then put your data in a data table, and move on to the analysis.
Data:
Angle

Height of ramp

Length of ramp

Displacement

Velocity

1. 29

10 cm

29.9 cm

40.4 cm

103.6 cm/sec

2. 29

16.5 cm

50 cm

54 cm

138.5 cm/sec

3.29

28.8 cm

90 cm

74.6 cm

191.3 cm/sec

4. 21

10 cm

48 cm

39.5 cm

101.3 cm/sec

5. 21

16.5 cm

87 cm

52.5 cm

134.6 cm/sec

6. 35

10 cm

28.5 cm

52.4 cm

134.4 cm/sec

7. 35

16.5 cm

43.2 cm

58.5 cm

150 cm/sec

8. 35

28.8 cm

78.6 cm

75 cm

192.3 cm/sec

Height of table= 76 cm
T= .39
Equation for horizontal velocity
Vx= Dx/T
Ex. V x= 40.4 cm/ .39 sec
Vx= 103.6 cm/sec
Analysis:

1. The time interval for the balls motion from the edge of the table to the
floor is found by using the equation for vertical motion of a projectile. The
equation is solved and the result is the time interval for each trial.
2. Using the same time interval used in item one and the displacement
values, the average horizontal velocity for each trial can be found from the edge
of the table to the floor. The data is then displayed in the table.

3.

4.

Conclusion:
5. The relationship between the height of the inclined plane and the horizontal velocity is that, as
the height increases, so does the horizontal velocity.
6. The relationship between the length of the inclined plane and the horizontal velocity is that, as
the length increases, so does the horizontal velocity.
7. Using the Vertical Displacement to calculate the time interval is more reliable than using a
stopwatch because solving for the time interval algebraically will be more accurate than the
unreliable nature of human error.
8. In each trial, the total velocity of the ball when it hits the ground would be the same, because
the force of gravity is the same on the ball each time. The ball falls from the same height on
each trial, therefore, nothing else could affect the balls total velocity.
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