Drawing on simple mathematical models of a
body moving vertically, conduct experiments that determine the velocity
of a projectile.
You have seen two simple models for the motion of a projectile
moving vertically:
Here v is the projectile's velocity in a upward pointing coordinate
system, y is its height from the origin of that coordinate system,
and g is the acceleration of gravity.
Experiment 2: Projectile Velocity
Determine the velocity with which a
projectile is launched vertically.
A soft rubber ball, say, can be
launched vertically into the air from a simple slingshot made of rubber
bands or from the end of a flexible ruler bent over the edge of a desk.
To avoid personal injury and damage to property, use a soft
projectile like a tightly rolled wad of paper.
How fast is the ball moving when it
leaves the slingshot or the ruler? Use the models given above and an
experiment of your own design to measure this velocity.
Repeat your experiment several times and average the results
to increase the reliability of your conclusion.
Which imposes the more severe limit on the accuracy of your
results, the model or the precision of your experimental
apparatus?
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Art Heinricher <
heinrich@wpi.edu>
Last modified: Thu Jun 26 12:38:55 EDT 1997