Name: David Harper

Planning and Design Lab: Relationship between impact velocity and penetration depth of
an object

Problem Statement: A hammer is often used to force a nail into wood. The faster the
hammer moves the deeper the nail moves into the woods. The depth of the nail, d, is related
to the velocity, v, by the equation, d=kvn , where ‘k’ and ‘n’ are constants.

Hypothesis: The faster the hammer moves the deeper the nail moves into the woods.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between ‘v’ and ‘d’ so as to determine a value for
‘n’.

Variables:

Manipulated: Height of mass(h)

Responding: Depth of the nail(d), final velocity of the mass (v).
Controlled: Mass (m) acceleration (a), initial velocity(u)

Apparatus and Materials: Hammer, nail, wood, ruler, mass, metre rule

Diagram:

Method:
1. Determine the mass of the hammer using a triple beam balance or electronic scale.
2. Measure the length of the nail.
3. Set up the apparatus as shown in figure 1.0.
4. Measure a height, h, of 0.2m and hold the mass directly above the nail.
 5. Release the mass onto the nail.
6. Record the exposed length of the nail (l) using a ruler and subtract this from the length
of the nail, L, in order to determine, d
7. Determine the velocity, v, of the hammer using the equation v2= u2 + 2as
8. Repeat steps 4 to 7 two more times and calculate the average for both velocity, v, and
depth, d.
9. Repeat steps 4 to 8 but adjust ‘h’ by intervals of 0.2m from 0.2 to 1.0m.
10. Tabulate results.
11. Determine the values of ‘k’ and ‘n’ in the following equation; d=kv n

Results:

Height of mass h/m Velocity v/ms-1 Depth of nail d/m

0.2

Reading 1

Reading 2

Reading 3

Avg. Reading

0.4

Reading 1

Reading 2

Reading 3

Avg. Reading

0.6

Reading 1

Reading 2

Reading 3

Avg. Reading

0.8

Reading 1

Reading 2

Reading 3
 Avg. Reading

1.0

Reading 1

Reading 2

Reading 3

Avg. Reading

Possible Computations:

v2 = u2 + 2as
s=h
a = 9.81 m/s2
u = 0 ∴ v2 = 2as
v = 2𝑎𝑠

Linearization of d=kvn :

𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑑 = 𝑙𝑜𝑔(𝑘𝑣n)
𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑑 = 𝑛𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑣 + 𝑙𝑜𝑔 𝑘

In terms of y = mx + c :
● logd = y
● n=m
● logv = x
● logk = c

Theory:

The nail is driven into the wood due to the force being applied to it from the mass falling onto
it. The depth of the nail in the wood depends on the magnitude of the momentum which the
mass possesses. The momentum of a body is its mass(m) x its velocity(v). Therefore as
velocity increases so does momentum and the force applied to the nail and ultimately the
depth of the nail in the wood. This experiment works because of the law of conservation of
momentum which states “During collision the total momentum before collision is equal to the
total momentum after collision i.e. m1v1 = m2v2. In order to facilitate a change in velocity the
height of the mass is changed. The relationship between nail depth(d) and velocity(v) is
given by the equation, d=kvn where ‘k’ and ‘n’ are constants. A graph of logd V.S. logv can
be plotted in order to find the gradient(m) which will give a value for n.

Precautions:
● Ensure the nail is perpendicular to the wood.
● Wear close-toed shoes, preferably boots.
 ● Ensure the mass is released with as little force being applied to it as possible.

Limitations:
● Due to limited area on the wood later readings will be affected by previous ones for
example, the nail may go in easier because the integrity of the wood is compromised.