Non-Vertical
Projectile Motion
Obj: Examine
dynamics of trajectories: vx, vy velocities
Equipment: launcher, plastic ball, meter stick,
stopwatch
Procedure:
1. Set the launcher between 60o and 750
above the horizontal.
2. Carefully plunge the plastic ball into the
barrel to the full setting.
3. Launch the ball and allow it to bounce several
times while you observe. Note
the path.
4. Now launch the ball and record the total time
(ttotal) of flight for 3 flights and the horizontal
distance dx) the ball travels at the first bounce.
Take the average time and average distance.
Analysis
1. Using the motion equations for vy,
vx, dy, dx, and allowing gravity
g = 10m/s2
a. Determine the vertical (vy) and
horizontal (vx) velocities and the maximum height (dy)
of the ball.
2. Establish a scale of 1cm = 0.5 m/s, then do a
graphical vector analysis to determine the initial velocity (vo).
Verify using the Pythagorean
theorem.
3. Determine the following for your launch
a. g at the maximum height (dy) of the
ball and 0.25 meters from the horizontal surface.
b. the velocity of the ball upon impact with the
floor.
c. The vertical and horizontal velocities at the
top (apex) of the flight.
4.
On one graph, sketch the vy and vx
of the ball for the total time of flight.
What is the significance of the slopes?
What is the significance of the area under the vx
velocity line?
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