Figure 1.1: Rough sketch
Notes
- The right side of the rotatable piece (the side that holds in the projectile) is pushed downwards, causing the elastic to elongate (displacement > 0 )
- When the applied force is released, the elastic contracts thrusting the center piece back upwards and launching the projectile
- Large flat wooden platform to use as a sturdy base
- Thin pieces of wood
- Very thin, cylindrical wood piece
- Elastic
- Small hook
- Wood glue
- Small hand saw
- Electric drill
Physics Concepts Covered
Hooke's law
- Hooke's law applies to objects that can be deformed (compressed or stretched) when a force is applied on it. This includes elastics like the one that will be used in this projectile launcher.
- The downward force applied on the rotatable arm will cause the elastic to stretch proportionally to the forced applied.
Elastic potential energy and kinetic energy
- These are two types of energy that will be associated with the launching of the projectile
- Elastic potential energy will be stored as the elastic is stretched and as the projectile is launched, it will possess kinetic energy
Conservation of Energy
- This law specifics that energy cannot be created or destroyed
- In this case, the built-up elastic potential energy will be converted into kinetic energy
Projectile motion and kinematics
- The projectile will travel in a parabolic curve like all projectile's launched at a velocity at an angle
- Various kinematics equations can be used to theorize the distance traveled by the projectile
Ball Measurements
Averages
Averages
Measurement
|
Average
|
Mass (g)
|
67.406
|
Volume of ball (cm3)
|
8.7
|
Diameter (cm)
|
2.63
|
