Is the y-component of projectile motion acceleration equal to gravity?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the relationship between the y-component of acceleration in projectile motion and gravitational acceleration. The experiment involved measuring the y-component of acceleration using a Vy versus time graph, yielding a value of -1.90 m/s², which is significantly lower than the expected -9.8 m/s² due to gravity. Participants concluded that the angle of launch affects the observed acceleration, and emphasized the importance of providing detailed experimental setup information for accurate analysis.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of projectile motion principles
  • Familiarity with graph interpretation, specifically Vy versus time graphs
  • Knowledge of gravitational acceleration (9.8 m/s²)
  • Basic concepts of vector decomposition in physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the effects of launch angle on projectile motion outcomes
  • Learn how to analyze Vy versus time graphs in detail
  • Study vector decomposition and its application in physics problems
  • Explore experimental setups for measuring projectile motion accurately
USEFUL FOR

Students studying physics, educators teaching projectile motion, and anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of motion under gravity.

devilish_wit
Messages
16
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


We had a lab on projectile motion and one of the questions was this:

Use your Vy versus t graph to determine the y-component of the acceleration of the puck. Should this be equal to the acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s)? Explain why it is or why it is not.

The acceleration we got from the Vy vs time graph is -1.90m/s^2. Should that have been the same with -9.8 m/s^2? Also just take note that the object was launched at a certain angle.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution



My answer is no because the platform at which the object was thrown was launched at an angle (?) I really can't explain it.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
devilish_wit said:
Should that have been the same with -9.8 m/s^2?
You don't give much detail of the experiment, but it sounds like it should have been much closer to g.
Please give a clear description of the set up and post the data you collected in a form that can be cut and pasted.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: CWatters
devilish_wit said:

Homework Statement


We had a lab on projectile motion and one of the questions was this:

Use your Vy versus t graph to determine the y-component of the acceleration of the puck. Should this be equal to the acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s)? Explain why it is or why it is not.

The acceleration we got from the Vy vs time graph is -1.90m/s^2. Should that have been the same with -9.8 m/s^2? Also just take note that the object was launched at a certain angle.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution



My answer is no because the platform at which the object was thrown was launched at an angle (?) I really can't explain it.

As has been stated, no one could, or should, be able to answer this without you describing explicitly the nature of your experiment. After all, this "projectile" could have been launched on a slanted surface, etc... (since it was called a "puck").

Zz.
 
Poster has been reminded not to create multiple threads about the same question
Should the acceleration found through Vy vs. t graph be always equal to -9.8 m/s^2?

Does the angle of launch affect gravity?
 
What do you think and why?

And are you aware of the mathematical concepts of vectors and the horizontal and vertical components of a vector?
 
I guess the acceleration from Vy vs t should equal to 9.8 m/s^2, while the one you find from Vx vs t is 0m/s^2. So when you take those values and solve “a = square root of x^2 + y^2” it would equal to the gravitational acceleration 9.8 m/s^2.

I mean I’m not the best in physics that’s why I’m here to ask questions that need clarification.
 
Thread closed temporarily for Moderation...
 
Thread re-opened after a 2nd thread on the same question was merged into this original thread.
 
devilish_wit said:
I guess the acceleration from Vy vs t should equal to 9.8 m/s^2, while the one you find from Vx vs t is 0m/s^2. So when you take those values and solve “a = square root of x^2 + y^2” it would equal to the gravitational acceleration 9.8 m/s^2.

I mean I’m not the best in physics that’s why I’m here to ask questions that need clarification.
Please respond to post #2.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: CWatters and berkeman

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
26K
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
5K
Replies
25
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K