Looking for ideas for a final mechanics project

[Like Tony Stark]

Hi, the thing is that I have a subject called "Lab I" where we have to design experiments related to optics or mechanics, collect data and then write down our findings on a paper.

Now, as a final project, my group and I have to design an experiment related to mechanics. It must be an experiment that, somehow, brings up something "useful"; I mean, it's not just about collecting data.

The topic that we were given is "Projectile motion: parabola of safety", and as I've told you previously, the experiment mustn't be something like "if you place something here, you'll be able to hit it; if you place something here, you'll not be able to hit it".
Obviously, we don't have to do something revolutionary, but we don't have to do an experiment for children.

The topic is not very wide, so I can't come up with any idea apart from hitting things with projectiles. Can you help me?

 

[berkeman]

Hi, the thing is that I have a subject called "Lab I" where we have to design experiments related to optics or mechanics, collect data and then write down our findings on a paper.

Sounds like a fun project!

Now, as a final project, my group and I have to design an experiment related to mechanics. It must be an experiment that, somehow, brings up something "useful"; I mean, it's not just about collecting data.

Still sounds like a fun project!

The topic that we were given is "Projectile motion: parabola of safety"

Given by whom? That's a real downer IMO compared to the original project definition.

as I've told you previously,

Link?

 

[DEvens]

What level is this? In what course? High school? University? What year?

If you are doing a final year in high school you might not have much calculus. Or only one intro course. If you are doing a university course in mechanics you should have quite a bit of calculus.

But there are lots of things you could do. Here's one. I want a mention in your "thanks" section if you use it.

Consider the set-back required from wind turbines because they can fling ice during the winter. You would first need to find out the size and speed of typical wind turbines. Figure out typical conditions of blade length and speed, and suppose the ice leaves the blade from various angles and from various locations on the blade. How far away from the turbine do you need to be in order to avoid getting hit? Does it make any difference if the ice slides along the blade for a while before flying off? How much could it slide first? What difference, if any, will the wind make to the calculations of the flight distance of the ice? How about the minimum altitude a plane must maintain to avoid getting struck by ice? Don't forget the elevation of the blade at the release point.