UCLA Horizontal Distance Given Initial Conditions of Height Lab Report

To Start Lab-Watch the video below

To launch the simulator click on the image below:

Objectives

• Create and solve for the horizontal distance of a projectile will travel given the height of the canon, angle launched, and the initial velocity
• Create your own unique problem by choosing a set of initial conditions to solve for an unknown variable of your choice.
• Create procedures for solving for different unknown variables.

Part 1 (solving for horizontal distance given initial conditions of height, Vo, and the angle launched)

1. First create a problem by setting Vo, the launch angle, and the height of the canon to certain values.  Test to make sure that the values do not send the object off the screen.
2. Once you have your problem, write a procedure that will allow you to solve for the horizontal distance. (tip-  first solve for the time in flight using one of the kinematic equations.  Be very careful with signs)
3. Solve your problem.
4. Test your calculation with the simulation to check for correctness.
5. State if your solution matched the simulator. If not, what did you need to fix in your solution to get your answer to agree with the simulator.

Part 2 (Solve for an unknown variable of your choice)

1. Play with the simulation to discover what type of variables can be solved for given certain initial conditions.  Choose a variable to solve for other than horizontal distance. 
2. Set up a problem with the minimum number of initial conditions needed to solve for your unknown variable.
3. Write down the procedure you need to use to solve your problem.
4. Solve your own problem.
5. State if your solution matched the simulator. If not, what did you need to fix in your solution to get your answer to agree with the simulator.