Shoot For Your Grade

Kaleb Valdez

AMES physics
Academy for Math Engineering and Science

Abstract: First we would find the velocity of a marble and use the velocity to predict the
landing point. The experiament was controlled and, and was run two times due to an error
made in the spoken instructions. As the End result we found we could find the landing
point based on the velocity we found.

Introduction: The objective of the experiment was to predict eh landing point of a

marble from an elevated platform being a table at a horizontal trajectory. We used a ramp,
marble, stopwatch, meter stick, and a dry erase marker. We were never allowed to have
the marble to leave the ramp when we were determining the velocity.

Theory: The idea of this experiment was to find the velocity or V1x* since it would be the
horizontal velocity. Next we would plug that into the equation of motion for Y* using 9.8
for gravitational acceleration or the A* to solve for the time or T* it would take to reach
the ground based on our velocity. After that we we would finally take that time and plug
it into the equation of motion for X*, after we solve it should be the landing zome
considering we are solving for X2.
* = variables

Experimantal Details (Prociedure):

1.
Roll the marble down the ramp several times, recording the time it takes for the
ball to cross the last 40 cm of the ramp on a horizantal. Make sure the ball is cought
before it can drop from below the table.
2.

Measure the height of the table.

3.
Do the math. Determine the initial velocity of the marble fromm step 1. using the
equations listed above, solve for the postiton the marble will land at the end of the
experiment.
4.
Measure the calculated distance. Mark on the floor with a dry erase marker the
positoin we think the ball will land.
5.

Place bullsey over mark, record landing 5-10, 10 being the bullseye.

Results:

Variables :
A1)

We took the average of each time and found the velocity using .4 m as a constant in each
run, and velocity being m/s. The .4 m was flat so it was our horizaontal velocity. the
velocity dtermined is listed in table A1
A2)
Y1 = 0
Y2 = .919 m or 91.9 cm
X1 = 0 m
X2 = ? = ~ .893 m
Ax = 0 m

Ay = 9.8 m/s

V1x = 2.063 m/s

T= ? =(.919/(4.9))1/2 ~ .433 s
Note, the question marks means those are variables i had to determine through
calculation.
Equations used:
E1. Equation of motion for Y, Y2 = Y1 + V1yT + 1/2AT2 which simplifys into Y2 = 1/2AT2
and to solve for time the equation can be rearranged into (Y2/(1/2A))1/2 = T which is the
variable I need first.

E2. Equation of motion for X, X2 = X1 + V1xT + 1/2AT2 which I simplified into X2 = V1xT.
Discussion: The First time we ran the experament was a complete failure. First we
jumped straight to the equation E2, we used the correct velocity and the wrong time, that
time being the average time we found the found for our marble to determine the initial
velocity.Those values are not listed in valbles table A2. That being done we went back
and realized we didn't calculate a time based on the height of the table we were going to
do the experiment off of the time we used to find the velocity. So we were able to
calculate the correct time using equation E1, and the time we found is listed in variables
A2. Next we knew we needed to plug in the time we solved in for in equation E2,
becuase it is where we failed th first time. and after that we determined the landing
position or X2.

Conclusion: First off I decide It's not smart to jump to the end equation. Secondly
apperantly you can calculate the landing position from scratch and the equation of
motion.
References:
Sarah whitbeck
Classmates / group / teammates