Physics Lab 1

29 February, 2012

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Abstract: We figure out how the range would be affected if we were to change the height at which a ball bearing was released and its initial velocity. In order to do this, we used a launcher attached at the very end of a table, which launched a small ball bearing. We then measured the range using a metre ruler while altering the height and the velocity. It is found that the range is definitely affected by the initial velocity and the height at which the ball bearing is released. In both cases, as the independent variable increased the range (dependent variable) increased. Purpose: How does the range depend on initial velocity and initial height? Hypothesis As y increases x increases As initial velocity increases, range increases Measurements: We will be measuring the height and the range using metre rulers in SI units. Setup: The ramp will be positioned at the end of a table. Our two independent variables are the height and the initial velocity. There will be two separate experiments done. The first one we changed was the height at which the ball bearing is launched. To do this, we will be changing the height by placing textbooks underneath the ramp and recording the data. The second thing we changed was the position from which we launch the ball bearing on the launcher. Since we cannot find out the initial velocity, we would need to use our final equation to calculate the velocity indirectly.

Figure 1: The ball at the top of the ramp waiting to be dropped onto the ground below.

Physics Lab 1 Equation (1) (2)

29 February, 2012

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( ) We know that Voy=0 (2) (3)

( /)

Dimensional Analysis

Results Experiment 1 Changing y (

constant)

0.925 0.962 0.999

1 0.726 0.773 0.809

2 0.708 0.761 0.800

3 0.708 0.766 0.788

Avg 0.714 0.767 0.799

1.644 1.792 1.770

Experiment 2 Changing

(y constant)

1.644 1.018 0.189

1 0.726 0.440 0.082

2 0.708 0.443 0.081

3 0.708 0.444 0.082

Avg 0.714 0.442 0.082

0.925 0.925 0.925

Physics Lab 1

29 February, 2012

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Range effected by height

0 -0.04 log range (m) -0.035 -0.03 -0.025 -0.02 -0.015 -0.01 -0.005 -0.02 0 -0.04 -0.06 -0.08 -0.1 -0.12 -0.14 log height (m) -0.16

range effected by velocity

0 -0.8 -0.6 -0.4 -0.2 -0.2 log range (m) -0.4 -0.6 -0.8 -1 log velocity (m/s) -1.2 0 0.2 0.4

Physics Lab 1

29 February, 2012

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Conclusion: Our hypothesis was proven to be correct in the end. As we increased the height, the distance that the ball fell also increased. As we increased the initial velocity that the ball was launched at, the distance once again increased. The sources of error could have been that our measurements were off, air resistance could have factored in and we could have used the wrong initial velocity.

Physics Lab 1

29 February, 2012

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Projectile Motion Lab

By: Saher Gill