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

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on whether the y-component of acceleration in projectile motion should equal the acceleration due to gravity, which is -9.8 m/s². The user reported an experimental value of -1.90 m/s² from their Vy versus time graph and questioned its discrepancy from gravity. Responses indicate that the angle of launch can affect the observed acceleration, and a detailed description of the experimental setup is necessary for accurate analysis. It is suggested that while the vertical component should ideally align with -9.8 m/s², the horizontal component remains zero. Clarification on vector concepts and the relationship between components is emphasized for understanding projectile motion.
devilish_wit
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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.
 
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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.
 
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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.
 
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