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Shoot for your grade

Joseph Larson

Physics Department
Academy for Math, Engineering, and Science
October 07, 2014

Abstract: starting with a ramp, a stop watch, a meter stick, and a marker it was predicted how far
away from the ramp the ball will land if launched horizontally from the ramp. Using Equations
and principles found by previous scientists.

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I.

INTRODUCTION:
This lab was intended to test the physics classes math skills and also apply the
physics that we had previously learned to real life. By having us predict the landing
spot of a projectile launched horizontally from an elevated platform. This is important
to visualize and finalize the concepts in our minds. Another reason the lab was done
was to actually combine math with reality and predict the distance.

II.

THEORY:
The main things that were needed were found out long ago like gravity and equations
of motion such as the equations yf = yi + viy t+ *ay*t2 and xf = xi + vixt + *ax*t2. The
constant of gravity for earth was also needed which is 9.8 m/s2. Also the equation of
D=RT.

III.

EXPERIMENTAL DETAILS:
Ramps were set up throughout the lab room then we grabbed a ball, marker, stop
watch, and a meter stick. We then measured 30cm (or .3m) from the end of the ramp
and marked it. Then rolled the ball 6 times and timed it. We then took that number
and put it into the D=RT to find the rate then we did calculations to find the distance
using the height of the table and the constant of gravity then put a bulls eye were we
thought it would land. Then rolled the ball and saw how close it was.

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IV.

RESULTS:
Roll #

1
2
3
4
5
6
a

Distance (m)

Time (s)

0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
a is after any amount of rolls what is the average speed.

0.18
0.27
0.16
0.17
0.19
0.23
0.20

xf =? 0.648m

yf=0.914m

xi= 0m

yi=0m

vix=? 1.5m/s

viy=0m/s

t= ? 0.432s

ay=9.8m/s2

ax= 0m/s2
0.3/.2= vi x=1.5m/s
((2*0.914)/9.8) =t=0.432s
1.5*0.432= xf=0.648m (or 64.8cm)

V.

DISCUSSION:
The ramp was set up then the ball timed by the stop watch over the 30cm and the x
velocity was found to be 1.5 then the height measured which was found as 0.914 then
the math done and calculated as 0.648m (64.8cm) then we set up the bulls eye and the
ball rolled down and allowed to hit the ground and the bulls eye then to make sure it
hit correctly we rolled it again.
1. a is the average which was found by adding all of the times and dividing by the
amount of rolls. Or in other words (0.18+0.27+0.16+0.17+0.19+0.23)/6=0.20 so a
=0.20.
2. We then used the equation D=RT and we needed R so D/T or 0.3/.2=1.5 so vi
x=1.5.
3. then we used the equation yf = yi + viyt + *ay*t2 where yi=0 and viy=0 so the
equation becomes yf=+ *ay*t2 then the only unknown is t because yf=0.914 (or

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the height of the table)and ay=9.8 (or the gravity constant) so ((2*yf)/ay)=t plug
in ((2*0.914)/9.8)=t t=0.432
4. then you use the equation xf = xi + vix t+ *ax*t2 where xi and ax =0 so xf = vix t
then plug in xf = 1.5*0.432 xf = 0.648m
5. we then measured 64.8cm away from the table and put the bulls eye there and
bulls eye 50pts
VI.

CONCLUSION:
In this experiment it was found that it is possible to find how far away the ball will hit
from a ramp that launches it horizontally. As long as you can measure everything
accurately. Also newton was correct with his math and the equations and real life are
fairly close. Plus if a ball is going at a x velocity of 1.5 and it drops a 0.914 tall drop
then it will hit 0.648m away from the table in 0.432s.

VII.

REFERENCES:
1. Population of Locker Creatures at AMES by George Fizix.
2. Shoot for your grade handout.
3. Physics principles and problems textbook.