Hit the Target Lab Conclusion PDF

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Lab 7 Conclusion...

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In this lab we were asked to correctly place a target on the floor so a horizontally launched projectile would hit a bull’s-eye. We solved the problem by plugging in our information into the y-direction equation first. The reason why we did this was to solve for time, so that we could plug that into the x-direction equation. Time would also work in the x-direction equation because we learned from an example that the ball dropping and ball moving horizontally would hit the floor at the same time if they were released at the same time and at the same distance. There would be a difference in their velocities but the acceleration would be the same (9.81 m/s2 downward) thus meaning that the objects would hit the ground at the same time. We plugged in our numbers into Y = ½ * (a) * (t2) + (Vo) * (t). We knew that the acceleration was 9.8 m/s2 because the only force acting on the object was gravity. The acceleration would 9.8 m/s2 downward (the acceleration due to gravity). We also knew the height of the table for Y and we knew the initial velocity was zero because there was no push or pull the y-direction on the ball. We simply placed it no a hill and watched roll down and have a parabolic trajectory off the table once it reached the end of the table. After we plugged in all the information we could come up with, we solved and found out the time it would take to hit the ground, .431 seconds. After we found the time, we knew that we would have to find the initial velocity in the x-direction. Since that was not possible by the human eye we used logger pro. We set up a photogate sensor that recorded the distance it traveled between the two photogate lasers and divided that by the time it took to travel that distance. The velocity turned out to be 1.03 m/s. Then after we solved for distance we had to place the target, we plugged the velocity (1.03m/s) and the time (.431s) into the equation we have in the x-direction. Which is also X = ½ * (a) * (t2) + (Vo) * (t). Which technically can be referred to as X = Vo * (t)

because there is no acceleration in the x-direction because there are no forces acting on the object in the x-direction. Projectile motion problems only have one force called gravity acting downward in the y-direction. We solved for the distance between the edge of the table and the target (5 points zone). The distance we had to place the target in order for us to get full points was .4441 meters. After we knew where to place the target, using a meter stick we placed the target (5 point zone) .4441 meters away from the table while also lining it up with place we would the ball down. Once we had finished all of our calculations, we tested our measurements. Just like we imagined it, the ball hit the +5 zone and we ecstatic with our results. The process of finding a way to get the solution was frustrating at first but as things started to click the process was much more fun. The moment the ball het the +5 zone, there was a huge sigh of relief. We were all worried that we may have made a tiny calculation error. But, luckily for us, we hit the target on the first try....