Projectile Motion

Jan. 23, 2012 and Jan.30, 2012 - 6th and 7th Meeting of Physics 101.1 Lab

Our first experiment that requires our own design of the experimental set-up was done during these meetings. The experiment examines projectile motion of different particles in different media. This activity was done outside because of precautionary measures. But before we engage into the activity, we had to answer the pre-activity worksheet, which discusses the factors that affect the trajectory of a particle. Nevertheless, it was an easy job to do since we had our classroom discussion about projectile motion.

The first set-up requires a projectile that shoots a metal ball at a distance. The projectile gun was hard to set since we need to check for every parts that may cause any injuries. In addition to that, our ramp was too loose, that it made setting the angle tedious for us. But, in spite all of these hard activities, we managed to finish the set-up and carry on with our experiment. Here are some pictures that we shot during the experiment:

 
    

We also had to examine the motion of a marble upon traversing a slender ramp, which cause a projectile motion at the end of the ramp. Then, a practical test was done on the next meeting, in which we used our calculations to ensure that the projectile will hit the bull's eye of a target. We hit the bull's eye at our first trial, but failed at the second one, because of human error. Although it was close, we are happy of what our calculations came out to be.

This activity is the first of many, which in fact, makes physics a more enjoyable subject than any other fields.

-Bartz, 2012