Projectiles – Horizontal Launch
Part 2
Name _________________________________
Date _________________________
Purpose:
Knowing time and distance, calculate the velocity and point of impact of a
horizontal projectile. Perform an experiment and verify the actual point of impact. Calculate the
percentage of error.
Setup:
1) Setup the equipment as shown below
Timer gates
Protractor
Projectile Launcher
Projectile Launcher Stand
Timer
Vertical Height Meter Stick
Landing Pad
Horizontal Range Meter Stick
2)
Check protractor and be sure launcher is set at 0o. Move as necessary.
3)
Given the photo gates are exactly 0.1 meters (10 Centimeters) apart.
4)
Set the smart timer box settings to measure time with two gates. This is
accomplished by:
a)
Plug in the photo gate leads #1 is the photo gate nearest the launcher
and #2 is the photo gate furthest from the launcher. See picture below.
5)
c)
Turn on the smart timer.
d)
Press the red select button once to select time.
e)
Press the Blue select button 3 times for 2 gates
f)
Press the Start/Stop button once for the ready asterisk *.
g)
After recording each time reading, press Start/Stop button once to get
ready for next reading.
Place the ball in the tube in press in with loading ram until 1 click. Note: Never
depress launcher without the ball in the tube.
Test Results and calculations:
Launch the ball, and record the time. Repeat for a total of three times. Record
results in the data table below and average the results.
Data Table 1
Trial Number Time in Seconds
Trial 1
Trial 2
Trial 3
Average time
7)
Calculate the velocity using the Average Time (from step 4) and a distance of 0.1
meters (given). Include units.
Velocity = ______________________ Formula
Velocity = ______________________ Answer
8)
Accurately measure the height from the floor to the center of the launce tube.
Record your answer in meters.
Vertical Height = ________________________ meters
9)
Calculate the time it would take the ball to fall to the floor using the distance
measured in step 6 and the gradational acceleration constant (do not round off).
Time = _________________________ Formula
Time = _________________________ Answer
10)
Calculate the horizontal distance the ball should travel knowing the velocity from
step 5 and the time from step 7.
11)
Locate the impact paper centered where you expect the projectile to land . Load
the projectile launcher (1 click only with the ball in the tube) and launch.
Measure the impact distance and record in the data table below. Repeat this
three times and average the results. **Note: After loading the launcher, the
timer may need to be reset to ready.
Data Table 2
Distance in
Trial Number
Meters
Trial 1
Trial 2
Trial 3
Average Distance
12)
Calculate the percent of error. This should be less than 5%. Use Absolute value.
Calculate Date – Measured Data
X 100
= Percentage of error
Calculated Data
Your Percent Error =
Conclusion:
What did you learn from this lab? Use additional paper if necessary. Reflect back on BOTH the
purpose and the process.
Teacher Notes:
This lab is performed using the Pasco projectile launchers ME6801 set on either 1, 2 or three
clicks, as well as gates and timers identified in projectile lab one. The attached test results are a
sample from data we collected in preparing this module. Student results may vary but should
be close to the data posted in the answer key.