Procedures
Part A - Effect of launch angle on projectile range
Click on the trails and air buttons (to turn off air resistance). Set the flagstick at 300 meters by clicking and dragging it over. Set the launch velocity at 50 m/s. Starting at 30 degrees, increase the launch angle by 5 degrees for each trial till you reach 70 degrees. Record the resulting range for each trial.
Data Table A
Launch angle (degrees) range (m)
30 .
35 .
40 .
45 .
50 .
55 .
60 .
Part B - Effect of launch speed on projectile range
Keep the air resistance off and set the flagstick at 300 meters. Set the launch angle at 50 degrees, and starting at a speed of 10 m/s, increase the launch speed by 5 m/s for each trial until you reach 50 m/s, and record your range data.
Data Table B
Launch speed (m/s) range (m)
10 .
15 .
20 .
25 .
30 .
35 .
40 .
45 .
50
Part C - Effect of air resistance on projectile range
Turn the air button on and repeat the procedure steps in part B
Data Table C
Launch speed (m/s) range (m)
10 .
15 .
20 .
25 .
30 .
35 .
40 .
45 .
50
Analysis
1. Plot a graph of launch angle vs. range for Part A. What is the best launch angle for
maximum range?
Extension
Look up or derive an equation that would allow you to predict the exact range of a projectile given its launch angle and velocity. Predict the launch velocity needed to send a projectile 330 m if launched at a 30 degree angle.