Q1: Description of Experiment The unknown variable in this experiment was the initial velocity of the ball when

it is launched from the cannonball. The experiment this week was set up to determine the characteristic initial velocity of the cannon at our lab station. The cannon was set up on an apparatus with an angle of 0 degrees at a height of 1.074 meters. A test fire was done, to find the location where the ball hits the ground when launched off the table from the cannon. At this point, a rubber mat was laid down, with a piece of paper. On top of this was placed a carbon paper and another sheet of paper to protect the carbon paper. When the ball is launched, it will land on the top sheet of paper above the carbon paper, marking the bottom piece of paper next tot eh rubber mat. The distance from the cannon was measured using a plumb line to determine the exact x position the ball was launched from. The distance was measured using a ruler each time. Using the kinematics equations, Derivation 3 shows the derivation of an equation that determines initial velocity based on height and range. This equation was used with the data gathered from 25 trials. This gave a reasonable amount of data to determine the initial velocity of the ball from the cannon. Q2: Quantities measured and calculated Measure quantities in the experiment were vertical distance above the ground at launch and horizontal distance the ball travelled after launch. The calculated quantity in the experiment was the initial velocity of the ball. The initial velocity was calculated because it is the primary unknown variable in this kinematics scenario. It was calculated using an equation that was created in Derivation 3. Q3: Calculation Relevant and required derivations are shown below in Derivation 1, Derivation 2, and Derivation 3. Calculation of the unknown variable is shown below in Calculation 1.

Q4: Error Shown on last page.

Derivation 1
Derivation of an equation to calculate To find , we know that from x and y position,

, , , g: acceleration due to gravity This reduces to,

Solve for t in the x equation,

t can be substituted into the y equation, ( ) ( )

Derivation 1 (continued)
Substitute, t

Using the quadratic equation, ( ) ( )

Substitute u = tan ( ) ( )

Solving for , yields the final equation: ( ) ( )

Derivation 2
Derivation of an equation for Range Using equations of previous derivations,

At maximum range,

This gives the equation

Solve for t,

Gives or

Substitute the second solution into the x equation,

Using the trigonometry identity, to substitute gives,

where x is the maximum horizontal range R. Therefore,

Derivation 3
Derivation of an equation to determine unknown variable Using equations of previous derivations, ,

Substitute t into the equation for y,

Using the identity,

Solving for

Let ,

Calculation 1
Calculation of unknown variable (initial velocity) using final equation of Derivation 3 ( )

Propagation of error: To propagate the error for velocity as a function of distance, ( ) ( )

( (

) where are given by uncertainty in the radius of the cannonball, which gives the difference in the final distance in a theoretically calculated point and a physical three dimensional sphere. It also includes uncertainty of the cannons initial position. Included in is also that we can only estimate the center of the mark that the cannonball makes when it hits the carbon paper. Calculation of Error: ( ( ) )

( so,