Objectives

1. Predict the landing point of a projectile launched from the spring launcher on its lowest setting at an angle of 60°.
2. Perform multiple launches to test the accuracy of your prediction.

Resources/Guides

• Mobile phone, digital camera, or other device for taking video
• Tracker Software
  • Quick Tutorial on Tracker
  • Video: Getting Started with Tracker
  • Fast Shutter Mode for Motion Capture with Casio Exilim Camera
• Projectile launcher
• Cardboard backdrop
• Meter stick

Background

In general, projectile motion describes an object given an initial velocity v_0 at an angle \theta from the horizontal. If air resistance is neglected, the only acceleration is in the y-direction due to gravity, so the x– and y-position of the projectile at time t, for example, are given by the kinematic equations for motion with constant acceleration.

x=x_0+v_0 t \cos \theta y=y_0+v_0 t \sin \theta - \tfrac{1}{2}gt^2