Projectiles Lab - From the experiment I conclude that indeed, the range of a projectile does depend on the angle at which it is projected. Moreover, up until around 40-50 degrees,
Extracts from this document...
Introduction
Alexander Zouev
Physics IB, 3/09/06
Projectiles Lab
Data Collection
Distance rubber band pulled back each time: 20 cm
Note: all range distances achieved are given as where the rubber band made impact with the floor, NOT where it eventually came to a standstill.
Raw Data Tables + Collection
Band Projected at 5º (±1º) | ||
Trial | Distance achieved ±1 cm | Average distance achieved |
1 | 165 | 138cm (3.s.f) |
2 | 120 | |
3 | 130 | |
Band Projected at 15º (±1º) | ||
Trial | Distance achieved ±1 cm | Average distance achieved |
1 | 200 | 250cm (3.s.f) |
2 | 250 | |
3 | 300 | |
Band Projected at 25º (±1º) | ||
Trial | Distance achieved ±1 cm | Average distance achieved |
1 | 250 | 275cm (3.s.f) |
2 | 275 | |
3 | 300 | |
Middle
2
320
3
400
Band Projected at 40º (±1º) | ||
Trial | Distance achieved ±1 cm | Average distance achieved |
1 | 380 | 383cm (3.s.f) |
2 | 350 | |
3 | 420 | |
Band Projected at 42º (±1º) | ||
Trial | Distance achieved ±1 cm | Average distance achieved |
1 | 400 | 393cm (3.s.f) |
2 | 400 | |
3 | 380 | |
Band Projected at 45º (±1º) | ||
Trial | Distance achieved ±1 cm | Average distance achieved |
1 | 380 | 386cm (3.s.f) |
2 | 380 | |
3 | 400 | |
Conclusion
Improving the investigation
Were we to repeat an experiment of a similar nature over again, there are several changes I would implement to limit the weaknesses. Firstly, by using a marble or some sort of more dense and inelastic material you minimize interference from the wind greatly. Although it is true that you cannot project a marble simply with an incline plane like we did with the rubber band, but some sort of projection gun device could be obtained. Another realistic suggestion would be to use a protractor instead of trusting the markers on the incline plane. I believe this would slightly increase the accuracy since the protractors are pretty clear.
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