NATIONAL UNIVERSUTY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOOGY

LAB REPORT -2
DATE: 5 Dec 2021
APPLIED PHYSICS

Department: NICE
Section: C
Group Name: J

Group Members Reg. No.

 Saad Mehmood Abbasi 367780
 Hammad Mehmood 366969
 Sikander Hayat Khan 371491
 Suleman Khan 384541
 Ahmad Shahab 391887

Submitted To:
Sir Muhammad
Daud
Mam Tooba Bibi
 Experiment No-1
Title : Projectile Motion

Abstract:
Projectile motion is very important in the real world. To study projectile motion, it is important to
know parameters such as speed, range, and launch angle. The purpose of this experiment is to estimate and
verify the estimated ball range from different angles. The starting speed is also determined by firing
horizontally and measuring the range and height of the launcher.

Theory:
To estimate where the ball will fall when fired from the table at an angle, it is necessary to first
determine the starting speed of the ball. This can be determined by starting the ball horizontally from the table
and measuring the vertical and horizontal distances Then the initial velocity can be used to calculate where the
ball will land when the ball is shot at an angle.
Initial horizontal Velocity:
For a ball launched horizontally from the table at initial speed, v 0,, the horizontal distance covering the ball is
given by x = v 0 t, where t is the time, the ball is in the air. Air friction is assumed to be very low.

The vertical distance the ball drops in time t is given by:

1
y= y 0+ ( v 0 sinƟ ) − g t 2
2
The initial velocity of the ball can be determined by measuring x and y. The time of flight of the ball can
be found using:

2 y0
t=
√ g
.

And then the initial velocity can be found using:

v 0=x /t

Initial Velocity at an Angle:

To estimate the range of the ball initiated at the initial velocity at the horizontal angle, first estimate the flight
time using the equation for vertical motion:
1
y= y 0+ ( v 0 sinƟ ) − g t 2 Where y 0 is the initial height of the ball and y is the position of the ball when it hits the
2
floor. The relation for finding the initial velocity is given by:

x= v 0 cos θ t
If the ball is shot at an angle below the horizontal, then θ is negative
 Apparatus:
 Mini Launcher
 steel ball
 Plumb bob
 Meter rod
 Carbon paper
 White paper
PART: A

Determining the Initial Velocity of the Bal

In this experiment we will find the initial velocity of a ball during projectile
motion.
Procedure :
Place the ball in the mini launcher and place it in the medium range position. Shoot the ball
to find where it hit the table. In this case, tape the white paper to the floor. Place a piece of carbon paper on top
of this paper and tape it. When the ball touches the table, it leaves its mark on the white paper. Three balls were
fired. Measure the vertical distance from the bottom of the ball when leaving the barrel on the table. Find the
point on the table just below the release point on the barrel. Measure the h distance from the release point to the
main edge of the paper. Measure every three points from the main edge of the paper. Find the mean of the three
distances. Using the vertical distance and the average horizontal distance, calculate the flight time and the ball
start speed.

Observations and Calculations:

Vertical distance y 0=¿ 40cm = 0.4 m

Distance to the edge of the paper = 80cm

Distances from the edge of paper to the dots:
D1= 13.4 cm
D2= 13 cm
D3= 11.23 cm
D1+ D 2+ D 3
Average distance from the edge of the papers to the dots =
3
= 12.15 cm
Total distance (range) = 80 cm +12.15 cm
= 92.15 cm = 0.921 m

Time of flight can be determined by using given formula:

2 y0
t=
√ g
 Putting the values in the above formula the time of flight is 0.285 s.

Now,
v 0=x /t

v 0=0.921/0.285

v 0=3.23ms-1

So initial velocity of ball in projectile motion is 3.23ms-1

Part: B
Predicting the Range of the Ball Shot at an Angle:
In this experiment we estimate the ball shoot range at an angle by the mini launcher. We then prove it
experimentally and find the percentage error between the theoretical and the experimentally measured range.

Procedure:
Adjust the Mini Launcher to launch at an angle of 20 degrees. Using the initial velocity and vertical distance
found in the first part of this experiment, calculate the new time and the new range for a projectile launched at
an angle. Tape the paper on the table so the line is at the predicted horizontal distance from the Mini Launcher.
Cover the paper with carbon paper. Shoot the ball three times. Measure the three distances and take the mean.

Observations and calculations:

Angle; 𝜽 = 20o
Vertical Distance yo=32.5 cm = 0.325 m
Final vertical distance yf = 0 cm = 0 m
Initial velocity vo = 3.885 ms-1
Calculated time of flight is given by:
1
yf − yo=v 0 t sin θ− g t 2
2
Putting the values in the above formula

1
−0.43=(3.23)(t) sin(2 0 o)− (9.8)t 2
2

4.9 t 2−1.104 t−0.43=0

a=4.9 ; b=−1.104 ; c =−0.43
2
−b ± √b 2−4 ac −(−1.104)± √(−1.104) −4( 4.9)(−0.43)
tth¿ tth¿
2a 2(4.9)
 (1.104) ± √ 9.6468
tth¿
9.8
1.104 ±3.105
tth¿
9.8
1.104+3.105 1.104−3.105
tth¿ ; tth¿
9.8 9.8

tth¿ 0.42 s ; tth¿−0.25 s

tth¿−0.25 s is negative∧ignored
tth¿ 0.42 s
Predicted range:
x th =v 0 tthcos (θ)

x th =(3.23)(0.42)cos(2 0o )
x th =1.27 m

x th =127 cm

Experimental range:

No. of observations Distance (x) covered by

ball (cm)
1 132.5
2 132.7
3 131.8
Average range = 132.3 cm

% error∈range= ( theoreticaltheoretical
value−measured value
value ) ×100
% error∈range= ( 127−132.3
127 )× 100
%error∈range=4.1 %

Part: C
Predicting the Range of the Ball Shot at a Negative Angle:
In this experiment we will find the range of the ball shoot by mini launcher at a negative angle. Then we
prove it experimentally and find the percentage error between theoretical and experimentally measured range.

Procedure:
Adjust the Mini Launcher at stand to launch at an angle of 15 degrees below the horizontal. Using the initial
velocity and vertical distance found in the first part of this experiment, calculate the new time and the new range
for a projectile launched at the new angle. Tape the paper on the table so the line is at the predicted horizontal
distance from the Mini Launcher. Cover the paper with carbon paper. Shoot the ball three times. Measure the
three distances and take the mean.

Observations and calculations:

Angle; 𝜽 = -15o
Vertical Distance yo=35 cm = 0.35 m
Initial velocity vo = 3.23 ms-1
Calculated time of flight is given by:
1
y=v 0 t sin θ− g t 2
2
1
−0.35=(3.23)(t) sin(−1 5o )− (9.8)t 2
2

4.9 t 2+ 0.835 t−0.35=0

a=4.9 ; b=0.835 ; c=−0.35
2
−b ± √b 2−4 ac −(0.835)± √ (0.835) −4 (4.9)(−0.35)
tth¿ tth¿
2a 2( 4.9)

(−0.835)± √ 7.55
tth¿
9.8
 −0.835 ±2.74
tth¿
9.8
−0.835+2.74 −0.835−2.74
tth¿ ; tth¿
9.8 9.8

tth¿ 0.194 s ; tth¿−0.357 s

tth¿−0.357 is negative∧ignored
tth¿ 0.194 s
Predicted range
x th =v 0 tthcos (θ)

x th =(3.23)(0.194) cos (−15 o)

x th =0.605 m

x th =60.5 cm

Experimental range:

No. of observations Distance (x) covered by

ball (cm)
1 64.5
2 63.5
3 64.4

Average range= 64.13 cm

% error∈range=( theoreticaltheoretical
value−measured value
value ) ×100
60.5−64.13
% error∈range=( )× 100
60.5
%error ∈range=6 %

Conclusion:
In this test the ball speed began to be measured at 0-degree angles. Then based on the first velocity we
find the width at an angle and compare with the estimated value, there is a certain percentage of error. Finally,
we calculated the width of the negative angle.
The results of the above tests were found to have some error. After some discussion we found out that
the error was caused by:
 Parallax error
 Disruption in the workplace
  Our assumption that air conflict was absurd

Experiment No- 2
Title : Projectile motion using photo gates
Abstract :
The purpose of this test is to predict and validate the range of projectile movements. In this experiment the
photogates were used to determine the initial speed of the ball. Percentage error in width is also calculated at the
end.

Theory :
Photogates are used to estimate the exact time of an event within a physics test, to study free falls, rolling
objects, collisions, and pendulum. To determine where the ball will fall when shot from the table at an angle, it
is important to determine the speed of the ball first. This can be determined by shooting the ball and measuring
the speed using photogates. To find the range, x, of the ball when introduced at the first speed at an angle θ,
above horizontally, first find the time using the number of vertical movements:
1 2
y−¿yo¿ v 0 t sin θ− g t
2

Where yo is the initial height of the ball and y is the position of the ball when it hits the floor. Then use x
= vo cos θ t to find the range. If the ball is shot at an angle below the horizontal, θ is negative.
Determining the Initial Velocity of the Ball
In this test we will find the first speed of the ball started by a small launcher. First, we will calculate the
test time using photogate. When the ball passes through this gate, the stopwatch calculates the time when the
ball landed between two photogate gates. Then calculate the distance x between the two photogate gates. By
calculating the time and distance between two photogate gates, we can easily calculate the first speed of the ball
using a given formula.:

v= x/t

Apparatus:
 Mini Launcher
 steel ball
 Photogate bracket
 (2) Photogates
 Computer and Timing software
 Plumb bob
 Meter stick
 Carbon paper
 White paper
 Part: A
Determining the initial velocity of a ball
Procedure:
Put the steel ball into the Mini Launcher and fix it to the medium range position. Run the timing program and
set it to measure the time it takes the ball to pass through both photogates. Shoot the ball three times and take
the average of these times. Calculate the initial speed of the ball. The distance between the photogates is 10cm.

Observations and calculations:

Distance between two gates= x = 10 cm = 0.1 m

No. of observation Time texp (s)

1 0.029
2 0.03

3 0.0305

Average time 0.0298

Now,
v = x/t
v = 0.1/0.0298
v = 3.35 ms-1

x th =v 0 tthcos (θ)

s x th=(3.35)(0.0298)cos (0 o)
x th =0.0998 m

x th =9.98 cm

% error∈range=( theoreticaltheoretical
value−measured value
value ) ×100
10−9.98
% error∈range=(
10 )
× 100

%error ∈range=2 %
 Part: B
Predicting the range of ball shot at an angle
Procedure:
Adjust the Mini Launcher at stand on the table to launch at an angle of 30 degrees. Put the steel ball into the
Mini Launcher and fix it to the medium range position. Run the timing program and set it to measure the time it
takes the ball to pass through both photogates. Shoot the ball three times and take the average of these times.
Calculate the experimental range of a ball. The distance between the photogates is 10cm.

Observations and calculations:

Distance between two gates= x = 10 cm = 0.1 m
v = 3.35 ms-1

No. of observation Time texp (s)

1 0.0320
2 0.0323

3 0.0318

Average time 0.0320

Now,
Experimental range can be calculated as below:
x th =v 0 tthcos (θ)

x th =(3.35)(0.0320) cos(30 o)
x th =0.0928 m

x th =9.28 cm

% error∈range=( theoreticaltheoretical
value−measured value
value ) ×100
10−9.28
% error∈range=(
10 )
× 100

%error ∈range=7. 2%
Conclusion:
In this experiment the velocity of ball was first measured at angle of 0 o launch. By using photogates, we
calculate the time of flight. Then we calculate initial velocity. Then upon the basis of initial velocity we
predicted range at an angle and then compare with measured value, there is certain percentage of error. The
results of above experiments were found have a certain amount of error.
Upon discussion we have found that error is due to:
 Parallax error
 Disturbance in work environment
 Our assumption that air friction was negligible
 Experiment No-3
Title : Projectile range versus angle

Abstract:
The purpose of this experiment is to find the relation between range and an angle. The angle that
gives the greatest range is determined for two cases:
Launching on level ground and launching off a table

Theory:
The range is the horizontal distance, x, between the starting point of the launcher and the place where the ball
resides. The width is given by x = (v0cosθ) t, where v0 is the first speed of the ball as it leaves the nozzle, θ is
the angle of inclination above the horizontal, and t time. In a situation where the final trajectory was in the same
position as the starting point of flight time it was doubled, it is necessary for the ball to reach the highest point
of its trajectory at this point a vertical 𝒗𝒐𝐬𝐢𝐧 (𝜽) speed is considered equal to zero so the required number when
taking form:

𝒗 y = 𝟎 =𝒗o 𝒔𝒊𝒏(𝜽)− 𝒈𝒕peak

Hence, the total time of flight was equated by:

𝒕=𝟐𝒕peak= 𝟐𝒗o 𝐬𝐢𝐧(𝜽) /𝒈

Apparatus:
 Mini Launcher
 Steel ball
 Plumb bob
 Meter rod
 Carbon paper

Shot of the table

Procedure:
Adjust the Small Launcher near one end of the table in the position of the directed
launcher so that the ball stays on the table. Adjust the launching angle to twenty degrees. Insert the metal
ball into the Mini Launcher and place it in the location of your choice. Hit one shot to find out where the
ball landed on the table. In this position, attach a piece of white paper to the table. Place a piece of
carbon paper on top of this paper and paste it on the table. If the ball hits the table, it will leave a
mark on white paper. Hit about three shots. Measure the horizontal distance from the ball point to the
front edge of the paper. Increase the angle by 10 degrees and repeat every step. Repeat for angles up to
80 degrees. Measure from the front edge of the paper to three dots each and draw a graph between the
range and angle.
Observations and calculations:
Table:

No. of obs. Angle of Launch

20o 30o 40o 50o 60o 70o 80o

1 115.3 124.6 128 175.2 96 71.3 46.2

2 116 125 128.5 174.8 95.1 70.2 46.8

3 116.7 125.4 127.5 175 96.9 71.5 45.6
Average 116 125 128 175 96 71 46.2
Range

Graph:

OFF TABLE
200
180 175
160

140
125 128
120116
RANGE---->

100 96
(cm)

80
71.2
60
46.5
40
20

0
20° 30° 40° 50° 60° 70° 80°
ANGLES--------->
(degrees)

Shot on the table

Procedure:
Clamp the Mini Launcher near one end of a table with the Launcher aimed so the
ball will land on the table. In this experiment no stand is used, and mini launcher is attached firmly with
the table and find the range up to 80 degrees with interval of 10 degrees.
Observations and calculations:
Table:
No. of obs. Angle of Launch

20o 30o 40o 50o 60o 70o 80o

1 60.4 80.3 91.1 97.1 83.2 63.2 39.7

2 60 79.2 92.2 96.4 83.9 61.4 38.9

3 60.8 80.5 92.7 97.5 83.4 62.9 38.4
Average 60.4 80 92 97 83.5 62.5 39
Range

Graph:

ON TABLE
120

100 97
92
80 80 83.5
RANGE------>

60.4
60 62.5
(cm)

40 39

20

0
20° 30° 40° 50° 60° 70° 80°
ANGLES------->
(degrees)

Conclusion:
We can see in the graph the range increases till 45o degrees and then decrease. As we increase the angle of
launch the range will increase up to certain angle and then decrease. The range is maximum at an angle of 45
degrees