Physics  I  
Parker  University  
Dr  J  Tison  
Lab  5:  Projectile  Motion  
(Date)  
(Your  Name)  
 

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Title:  Motion  of  a  Projectile  
 
Abstract:  In  this  experiment  the  motion  of  a  projectile  was  evaluated.  A  
marble  was  launched  horizontally  off  a  table-­‐top  and  the  distance  it  
traveled  forward  was  measured.  The  equations  of  motion  for  a  
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horizontal  projectile  were  used  to  calculate  the  velocity  of  the  projectile   Comment:  1-­‐2  sentences  describe  the  
as  it  left  the  table-­‐top.    Using  this  information,  the  height  of  the  table   expt.  

was  changed  and  the  marbles  were  launched  a  second  time.  Using  the  
previously  determined  initial  velocity,  which  should  be  unchanged,  e  
new  travel  distance  was  calculated  and  compared  with  the  measured  
distance.    The  experimental  results  confirmed  this  to  be  the  case  as  had  
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been  hypothesized.               Comment: How  the  results  were  
  determined  

Introduction:   James Tison 10/23/12 6:49 PM

Comment: Conclusion  linking  back  to  
  hypothesis  
Background:  The  question  of  projectile  motion  is  one  that  has  been  
worked  on  for  many  centuries.  Aristotle  believed  all  motion  was  linear,  
and  that  in  order  to  continue  to  move  an  object  must  continue  to  have  
force,  or  impetus  behind  it.  In  the  17th  18th  centuries  Galileo,  Newton  
and  others  applied  the  “scientific  method”  and  gathered  experimental  
data  to  debunk  Aristotle’s  ideas,  thereby  developing  the  modern  
classical  theories  of  motion.  These  laws  of  motion  are  based  on  a  set  of  
kinematic  equations  the  x  (horizontal)  and  y  (vertical)  directions.    
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      Comment: Brief  history  is  OK.  State  theory  
           (1)  x  =  x0  +v0t+ ½  at2  ,  (2)  v  =  v0+  at,  (3)  v2  =  v02  +2a(x  -­‐  x0)   and  equations  behind  theory  that  will  be  
used  for  calculating  results.  
 
For  horizontally  launched  projectiles,  these  equations  are:  
 
           (1)  y  =  ½  at2  ,  (2)  vy  =  v0y  +  gt,  (3)  vy  =  (2gy)½  (4)  x  =  v0xt  
 
These  equations  will  be  used  to  calculate  the  initial  velocity  of  the  
projectile,  v0x  ,  and  to  calculate  the  distance,  x,  traveled  when  the  table  
height  was  changed.  
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  Comment: See  previous  comment  
Objective:  By  launching  a  projectile  horizontally  the  validity  of  the  
equation  of  motions  will  be  tested.         James Tison 10/23/12 6:52 PM
  Comment: One  sentence  –  no  theory  here  
Hypothesis:  The  equations  of  motion  predict  that  when  a  projectile  is   James Tison 10/23/12 6:53 PM
launched  at  greater  heights  the  distance  it  travels  forward  will  increase.           Comment: One  specific  sentence  –  no  
generalizations  

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Materials  and  Methods:        
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  Comment: In  paragraph  form  list  the  
Materials  for  this  lab  included  a  marble,  a  stopwatch,  a  ramp,  a  table,  a   materials  
 
chair,  corn  starch,  water  a  tape  measure  a  plumb  line  and  construction   In  paragraph  form  state  the  procedure.  This  
paper.   should  not  be  a  long  statement,  but  it  should  
be  concise  and  clear.  
 
The  procedure  was  to  set  up  a  ramp  on  a  table  and  use  the  plumb  bob  to  
make  sure  that  the  table  surface  is  horizontal.    The  marbles  are  released  
from  a  fixed  point  at  the  top  of  the  ramp  and  allowed  to  accelerate  to  a  
velocity  upon  leaving  the  table.    The  impression  of  the  corn-­‐starched  
coated  marble  was  noted  on  the  construction  paper  placed  on  the  floor  
to  obtain  the  horizontal  distance  traveled.    
 
Several  trials  are  made  and  the  heights  and  distanced  traveled  forward  
are  documented  in  the  Data  Table.    This  is  repeated  at  a  second  table  
height.  
 
The  first  data  set  is  used  to  calculate  the  initial  velocity  of  the  projectile  
leaving  the  table.    This  velocity  is  used  with  the  second  data  set  to  
predict  the  horizontal  distance  traveled  by  the  marble  and  compare  
with  experimental  results.    
 
Data  and  Results:          
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  Comment: Usually  (not  always)  this  
-­‐-­‐-­‐  Data  Table  here.    Title  above  each  table;  e.g.  Procedure  1:  Table  ht  =   section  includes  a  data  table  (see  the  
eScience  CD  info  for  this).      
50  cm,  etc…    Make  sure  all  columns  and  rows  are  named  with    
appropriate  units.   Calculated  results  here  as  well  as  percent  
errors  between  2  different  experimental  
  measurements  or  between  the  experimental  
Discussion:  The  10%  error  (my  guess)  is  primarily  the  result  of  the   result  and  a  published  value.  

variable  landing  points  of  the  marbles  due  to  starting  the  marble  at  
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different  height,    possible  movement  of  construction  paper,  the  corn-­‐ Comment: Analyze  the  data  and  results,  
starch  coating  slowing  the  marble.         indicate  possible  sources  of  error  and  
impact  on  the  final  results.        
 
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Conclusion:  This  experiment  verified  the  applicability  of  the  equations   Comment: State  whether  the  experiment  
of  motion  with  the  experimental  errors,  and  thereby  the  initial   confirmed  your  hypothesis  within  
experimental  error.  
hypothesis  has  been  confirmed          
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  Comment: Cite  references  per  APA  
References:    Cite  the  sources  used  for  the  Background  info  or  other                   guidelines.  The  reference  must  be  cited  in  
the  text.  

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