Applied Physics Lab

Lab Report 03

Section: ME-09-B
Group: A2
Group Members:
Saad Shabeer
Shahzaib
Sunia Tanweer
Shehzada Anees Khan
Muhammad Saad

Experiment Date: 10th October, 2017

Topic: Mini Launcher (Experiment 4 and 6)
Submitted To: Ma’am Hinna Jamil
Ma’am Ayesha Tahir
Abstract:
The main purpose to perform the experiment is to investigate two dimensional
projectile motion. In the projectile motion, we have constant velocity in one
dimension and constant acceleration in the other.
In the first experiment, we have to find how the vertical distance the ball drops
is related to the horizontal distance the ball travels when launched horizontally
from a table. While in the second experiment, we have to show that the
momentum is conserved in two dimensions for elastic and inelastic collisions.

General concepts:
Projectile:
Any object thrown in air, making some angle with the horizontal (zero or
nonzero) is called a projectile.
Trajectory:
The path followed by a projectile is known as its trajectory.
Horizontal motion of the projectile:
In case of a projectile, the horizontal component of the velocity remains the
same. Hence, the horizontal component of the motion always remains
constant.
= 𝑣𝑖 𝑡 = 𝑣𝑖 cos 𝜃 𝑡
Vertical motion:
The acceleration i.e. the acceleration due to gravity in the vertical motion
remains constant. The velocity in this case is varying and is given by:
𝑣 = 𝑣𝑖 ± 𝑔𝑡
Depending on direction of initial velocity
Time of flight:
The time taken by the projectile to complete the trajectory is called its time of
flight. It is given by:
𝑣𝑖 sin 𝜃
𝑇=
𝑔
Maximum Height:
The maximum height achieved by the projectile is given by:
𝑣𝑖 sin 𝜃
𝐻=
𝑔
Range of projectile:
The horizontal distance covered by the projectile is called its range.
It is given by:
𝑣𝑖 sin 𝜃
𝑅=
𝑔
The above mentioned equations are for the case in which the launching and
the landing points are the same. In other cases, these equations are modified
accordingly.

Apparatus:
• Mi i-launcher
• Goggles
• Steel alls (16 mm dia. each)
• Push rod
• Stri g
• Car o paper
• A4 paper

Experiment 4 (PROJECTILE PATH):

Theory:
The range is the horizontal distance, x, between the muzzle of the launcher
and the place where the ball hits, given by:
= 𝑣 𝑡
,where vo is the initial speed of the ball as it leaves the muzzle and t is the time
of flight. If the ball is shot horizontally, the time of flight of the ball will be:
 𝑡=
𝑣
The vertical distance, y, that the ball falls in time t is given by:

= 𝑔𝑡

,where g is the acceleration due to gravity.

Substituting for t into the equation for y gives:
𝑔
=
𝑣

A plot of y versus x2 will give a straight line with a slope equal to .

𝑣𝑜

Setup:
1. Clamp the Mini Launcher near one end of a sturdy table with the
Launcher aimed away from the table.
2. Adjust the angle of the Mini Launcher to zero degrees so the ball will be
launched horizontally.
3. Fire a test shot on the long range setting to determine the initial position
of the vertical target. Place the target so the ball hits it near the bottom.
4. Cover the target board with white paper. Tape carbon paper (carbon
side down) over the white paper.
Procedure:
1. Measure the vertical height from the floor to the muzzle and record in
table. Mark this height on the target.
2. Measure the horizontal distance from the muzzle of the Mini Launcher
to the target and record in table.
3. Shoot the ball.
4. Move the target about 5 cm closer to the launcher.
5. Repeat Steps 2 through 4 until the ball strikes the target about 10 cm
below the muzzle height.
Observations:
Height of muzzle = yo = 47 cm = 0.470 m
Maximum horizontal distance = xo = 100 cm = 1.00 m
Gravitational acceleration = g = 9.8 m/s2

𝑜
Time of flight for xo and yo = T = √ = 0.31 seconds

𝑜
Initial speed = vo1 = = 3.23 m/s

Slope from formula = Expected slope = mo = = 0.47 / m

𝑣𝑜

Table:
Horizontal distance (x) / Vertical distance (y) / Horizontal Distance
metres metres squared (x2) / metres2
0.740 0.208 0.548
0.690 0.240 0.476
0.640 0.260 0.410
0.590 0.296 0.348
0.540 0.318 0.292
0.490 0.330 0.240
0.440 0.362 0.194
0.390 0.391 0.152
0.340 0.403 0.116
0.290 0.414 0.084
0.240 0.432 0.058
0.190 0.439 0.036
0.140 0.451 0.020
0.090 0.457 0.008
0.040 0.459 0.002
Graph:

Results from graph:

−
Slope of graph = m = | |≈ 0.46 / m
−
(Slope calculated from first and last values).

Initial speed from graph = vo2 = √ = 3.26 m/s

Error:
 𝐸 − ℎ
Error in slope = ∗ % = 2.1%
𝐸
𝐸 𝑣 𝑖 −𝑉 𝑖 ℎ
Error in ini.velocity = ∗ % = -0.93%
𝐸 𝑣 𝑖

,negative signature indicates that the velocity from graph is greater than
calculated/expected velocity.
Conclusion:
1. The graph is about a straight line. This shows that the relation between y
and x2 is direct OR a linear relation exists between them.
2. The graph between y and x will be a half parabola, as opposed to a
straight line of y and x2, indicating that y is a relation of x-squared. Graph
is given below.

3. The path of projectile is PARABOLIC in shape, as shown above.

The possible errors were parallax, human error, the deviation of the ball from
its path due to the air.
• We re o ed paralla keepi g our e e perpe di ular to the plane of
motion of the ball.
• The hu a error as i i ized taki g the a erage of the alues e
measured.
• The effe t of air fri tio as i i ized taki g a all of a er s all radius.
Experiment 6 (CONSERVATION OF MOMENTUM IN 2-D):
Theory:
Law of conservation of linear momentum:
The linear momentum of a system remains conserved, if no external force is
exerted upon it.
Elastic collision:
A collision, such that total kinetic energy of system, linear momentum of
system and the total energy remains constant.
Inelastic collision:
A collision, such that linear momentum of system and total energy remains
constant, BUT a part of the kinetic energy of the system is wasted.

A ball is shot toward another ball which is initially at rest. After the resulting
collision the two balls go off in different directions. Both balls are falling under
the influence of the force of gravity so momentum is not conserved in the
vertical direction. However, there is no net force on the balls in the horizontal
plane so momentum is conserved in horizontal plane. Before the collision,
since all the momentum is in the direction of the velocity of Ball #1, it is
convenient to define the x-axis along this direction.

Then the momentum before the collision is:

𝑃⃑ = 𝑚𝑣 ̂
and the momentum after the collision is:
 𝑃⃑ = 𝑚[{ 𝑣 +𝑣 ̂} + {(𝑣 − 𝑣 ) ̂}]
, the mass of both balls is m.
By the law of conservation of linear momentum:
𝑃⃑ = 𝑃⃑
On x-axis: On y-axis:
𝑚𝑣 = 𝑚𝑣 + 𝑚𝑣 = 𝑚𝑣 − 𝑚𝑣
𝑣 =𝑣 +𝑣 𝑣 =𝑣
𝑣 = 𝑣 cos 𝜃 + 𝑣 cos 𝜃 𝑣 sin 𝜃 = 𝑣 sin 𝜃
As both balls will fall the same height, then from

𝐻= 𝑔𝑡

THE TIME FOR BOTH BALLS WILL BE SAME BECAUSE H AND g ARE CONSTANT.
So,
= 𝑅 cos 𝜃 + 𝑅 cos 𝜃 𝑅 sin 𝜃 = 𝑅 sin 𝜃
, where R1 and R2 are the displacements of the two balls respectively.
This implies that:
= + =
Setup:
1. Clamp the Mini Launcher near one end of a sturdy table with the
Launcher aimed inward toward the table. Mount the launcher in the top
hole of the bracket.
2. Adjust the angle of the Mini Launcher to zero degrees so the ball will be
shot off horizontally onto the table. Fire a test shot to determine the
range.
3. Place a piece of butcher paper on the table. The paper must extend to
the base of the Launcher.
4. Mount the Collision Attachment on the Launcher. Slide the attachment
back along the Launcher until the tee is about 3 cm in front of the
muzzle.
5. Rotate the attachment to position the ball from side to side. The tee
must be located so that neither ball rebounds into the launcher and so
 both balls land on the table. Tighten the screw to secure the collision
attachment to the Launcher.
6. Adjust the height of the tee so that the two balls are at the same level.
This is necessary to ensure that the time of flight is the same for each
ball. Fire a test shot and listen to determine if the two balls hit the table
at the same time.
7. Place a piece of carbon paper at each of the three sites where the balls
will land.
Procedure:
1. Using one ball, shoot the ball straight.
2. Elastic collision: Using two balls, load one ball and put the other ball on
the tee. Shoot the ball twice and record the distances.
3. Inelastic collision: Using two balls, load one ball and stick a very small
loop of tape onto the tee ball. Orient the tape side of the tee ball so it
will be struck by the launched ball, causing an inelastic collision. Shoot
the ball once and if the balls miss the carbon paper, relocate the carbon
paper and shoot once more. Since the tape does not produce the same
inelastic collision each time, it is only useful to record this collision once.
4. Use a plumb bob to locate on the paper the spot below the point of
contact of the two balls. Mark this spot.
Elastic Collision
Observations:
Horizontal distance without second ball = xo = 102.2 cm = 1.022 m
BALL 1:
Horizontal distance travelled by ball 1 = x1 = 25 cm = 0.25 m
Vertical distance travelled by ball 1 = y1 = 42.0 cm = 0.420 m

Angle made by path of ball 1 = 𝜃 = tan− ⁄ = 59o (Angle rounded off to

two digits)

BALL 2:
Horizontal distance travelled by ball 2 = x2 = 77.0 cm = 0.77 m
Vertical distance travelled by ball 2 = y2 = 42.2 cm = 0.422 m
Angle made by path of ball 2 = 𝜃 = tan− ⁄ = 29o (Angle rounded off to

two digits)

Table:
Momentum is directly proportional to the velocity (mass is same for both),
while velocity is proportional to distance (time taken is same for both), so
momentum conservation is determined by constant distances.
x0 x1 + x2 y1 y2 𝜽 +𝜽
Value 1.022 0.250 + 0.420 0.422 88o
0.770 =
1.020
Result The values of xo and (x1 The values of y1 and y2 The sum of
+ x2) are equal to an are equal to an the two
accuracy of 1 cm. accuracy of 1 cm. angles is short
of 90o by only
2o.

Error:
− +
Error in x-dimension = ∗ % = 0.20%
−
Error in y-dimension = ∗ % = -0.48%
𝑜− 𝑜
Error in angles = ∗ % = 2.2%
Inelastic Collision
Observations:
Horizontal distance without second ball = xo = 102.2 cm = 1.022 m
BALL 1:
Horizontal distance travelled by ball 1 = x1 = 49.8 cm = 0.498 m
Vertical distance travelled by ball 1 = y1 = 31.2 cm = 0.312 m

Angle made by path of ball 1 = 𝜃 = tan− ⁄ = 32o (Angle rounded off to

two digits)
BALL 2:
Horizontal distance travelled by ball 2 = x2 = 52.6 cm = 0.526 m
Vertical distance travelled by ball 2 = y2 = 31.7 cm = 0.317 m

Angle made by path of ball 2 = 𝜃 = tan− ⁄ = 31o (Angle rounded off to

two digits)

Table:
Momentum is directly proportional to the velocity (mass is same for both),
while velocity is proportional to distance (time taken is same for both), so
momentum conservation is determined by constant distances.
x0 x1 + x2 y1 y2 𝜽 +𝜽
Value 1.022 0.498 + 0.312 0.317 63o
0.526 =
1.024
Result The values of xo and (x1 The values of y1 and y2 The sum of the two
+ x2) are equal to an are equal to an angles is NOT EQUAL
accuracy of 1 cm. accuracy of 1 cm. TO 90o, which is a
consequence of
INELASTICITY.

Error:
− +
Error in x-dimension = ∗ % = -0.20%
−
Error in y-dimension = ∗ % = -1.6%

Conclusion:
Elastic
LINEAR MOMENTUM CONSERVATION
1. The distances in x-direction were almost same with and without
collision, so, momentum was conserved in the horizontal direction.
2. The distances in y-direction were almost same but with opposite
signatures, so, momentum was also conserved in the vertical direction.
TOTAL ENERGY CONSERVATION
3. Total energy was conserved with an error of 3%. The error is due t the
fact that we work in a real environment and not an ideal one. Following
real sources can be accounted for the error:
i). The HEAT energy dissipated while colliding and striking the ground.
ii). The energy dissipated as SOUND.
iii). Work done against FRICTION and AIR RESISTANCE.
KINETIC ENERGY CONSERVATION
4. The sum of angles should be 90o for conservation of KE. The sum was
almost equal to 90o. The error occurs due to the real environment and
the factors highlighted in Point 3.

Inelastic
CONSERVATION OF LINEAR MOMENTUM
1. The distances in x-direction were almost same with and without
collision, so, momentum was conserved in the horizontal direction.
2. The distances in y-direction were almost same but with opposite
signatures, so, momentum was also conserved in the vertical direction.
CONSERVATION OF TOTAL ENERGY
3. Total energy was conserved if all the dissipations are taken into account.
The dissipations are due to the fact that we work in a real environment
and not an ideal one. Following real sources can be accounted for the
error:
i). The TAPE on the ball which gives a medium for energy to be
absorbed. Also does not allow the head-on collision of the balls.
ii). The HEAT energy dissipated while colliding and striking the ground.
iii). The energy dissipated as SOUND.
iv). Work done against FRICTION and AIR RESISTANCE.
NON-CONSERVATION OF KINETIC ENERGY
4. The KE of the system was not conserved due to the inelastic nature of
the collision. This can be observed by the fact that the sum of the angles
is SHORT OF 90o by a huge number of 27o. So, a part of KE of the system
was dissipated.