How to Calculate Projectile Motion for a Marble in a Lab Experiment

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating projectile motion for a marble in a lab experiment, specifically neglecting air resistance due to the marble's weight. The marble is launched from a height of 36.5 cm, with the angle of launch to be determined later. Key concepts include deriving the time of flight based on initial velocity, height, and angle of release, while horizontal motion is treated as having zero acceleration. Calculus is not necessary for solving this problem, as the focus is on basic physics principles and vector calculations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic physics principles, particularly projectile motion.
  • Familiarity with vectors and their application in motion calculations.
  • Knowledge of the equations of motion, including displacement and time of flight.
  • Ability to perform basic algebraic manipulations to derive formulas.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the equations of motion for projectile motion in physics.
  • Learn how to calculate time of flight using initial velocity and launch height.
  • Study the concept of horizontal motion and its implications in projectile motion.
  • Explore vector decomposition in the context of projectile motion calculations.
USEFUL FOR

High school students studying physics, educators teaching projectile motion concepts, and anyone interested in understanding the fundamentals of motion in a laboratory setting.

kimichi
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Projectile Motion Lab! PLEASE HELP THIS IS FOR TOMORROW.

I am a high school student in Grade 12.

We are currently doing projectile motion. We are using a marble. The teacher said that we should neglect air resistance because it is a very heavy marble. The marble, in the projector, is sitting at 36.5 cm. There is no given angle because we will get one tomorrow. We need to launch the marble into a Styrofoam cup. We do not know what height the Styrofoam cup will be.

If you could help me out with a formula, that would be great.

Thank you.
 
Last edited:
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Have you learn calculus?
a(t)=g where g is constant.
Intergate twice with respect of time you get displacement equation.

For horizontal motion, g=0.

Add:
Have you learn about vectors?
In physics, all calculations normally involve vectors.
 
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I will not provide you with a formula but I'll help you derive one. For starters, you can assume the horizontal velocity of the marble is constant. Therefore, if you know how long it is in the air, you can determine its range.

Your first step is to determine the time of flight. It's a function of initial velocity, the height at which the projectile was released, and the angle of release.

If you are not given the initial velocity, you will have to determine that as well. Calculus, per se, is not needed to solve this problem.
 

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