Projectiles: Performance of a Marble Launcher
Projectiles Practical Report
1. Introduction
Velocity is a vector measurement of the rate and direction of motion or, in other terms, the rate and direction of the change in the position of an object. [1]
Velocity can be found many ways through various suvat Equations and their rearranged forms. For example v2=u2+2as in which the square of the final velocity can be found if you know the objects initial velocity, the acceleration and the distance travelled.
Using such formulae makes it possible to test equipment, efficiently and accurately.
2. Aim
The aim of this practical is to build and evaluate the performance of a marble launcher, this is done by first finding the velocity of the marble using the equation v2=u2+2as, this will be done by conducting an experiment to first find the vertical distance (s) the marble travels and acceleration due to gravity (a).
This will then be used to find the time the marble will travel for at angles of 30o, 45o and 60o using the equation v=u=at, rearranging this equation to find the time the marble will travel at will become, . Taking the value and doubling it will give you the time it takes to reach the peak velocity and return to rest. This value is then used to predict the range the marble will travel from a set angle via the rule Distance = Speed X Time. These distances will be compared to actual distances tested and evaluated.
3. Procedure
3.1 Apparatus
• Protractor or set square
• Meter rule
• Small sand pit
• Safety spectacles
• Compression spring
• 1cm diameter plastic conduit
• 1cm diameter rubber bung to fit
• Marble
• Nail
3.2 Method
1. Firstly the assembly of the launcher, after placing the nail through the pre-cut hole transecting the pipe, the marble is placed inside followed by the spring, the bung is fixed securely in the bottom of the pipe causing tension on the spring which is held until the pin is released.
2. Fixing the launcher to a clamp stand
1. Introduction
Velocity is a vector measurement of the rate and direction of motion or, in other terms, the rate and direction of the change in the position of an object. [1]
Velocity can be found many ways through various suvat Equations and their rearranged forms. For example v2=u2+2as in which the square of the final velocity can be found if you know the objects initial velocity, the acceleration and the distance travelled.
Using such formulae makes it possible to test equipment, efficiently and accurately.
2. Aim
The aim of this practical is to build and evaluate the performance of a marble launcher, this is done by first finding the velocity of the marble using the equation v2=u2+2as, this will be done by conducting an experiment to first find the vertical distance (s) the marble travels and acceleration due to gravity (a).
This will then be used to find the time the marble will travel for at angles of 30o, 45o and 60o using the equation v=u=at, rearranging this equation to find the time the marble will travel at will become, . Taking the value and doubling it will give you the time it takes to reach the peak velocity and return to rest. This value is then used to predict the range the marble will travel from a set angle via the rule Distance = Speed X Time. These distances will be compared to actual distances tested and evaluated.
3. Procedure
3.1 Apparatus
• Protractor or set square
• Meter rule
• Small sand pit
• Safety spectacles
• Compression spring
• 1cm diameter plastic conduit
• 1cm diameter rubber bung to fit
• Marble
• Nail
3.2 Method
1. Firstly the assembly of the launcher, after placing the nail through the pre-cut hole transecting the pipe, the marble is placed inside followed by the spring, the bung is fixed securely in the bottom of the pipe causing tension on the spring which is held until the pin is released.
2. Fixing the launcher to a clamp stand