Physics                                                                         Name: _____________________________

Projectile Launcher Project

Overview:  Build a projectile launcher that will launch a steel sphere 6m, with a release angle of at least 30°.  Measure your launcher’s precision, and then make improvements to your launcher to make it more precise.   Conduct at least two rounds of improvements, each following a set of precision measurements.  After improving your launcher’s precision, measure its accuracy.  Based on your accuracy data, improve your aiming method.  Then measure accuracy at least once more to see if your improvements worked.  Last, create a graph of “distance launched vs pull distance.”  Use the graph to practice shooting targets at a variety of distances between 1m and 6m.  Finally, use your projectile launcher to compete in the Physics Projectile Launcher Shootout.

Rules/Restrictions:

• Must fit in a hypothetical cube that is 75cm along each edge.
• Projectile angle of release must be at least 30°, relative to horizontal.
• Must be capable of launching a projectile at any distance between 1m and 6m.

Helpful Documents: (***See online Launcher Page for links.***)

• Launcher PowerPoint Template
• Precision Data Sheet
• Excel Spreadsheet for Calculating Precision (average %deviation)
• Excel spreadsheet for creating graph of  “Launch Distance vs. Pull Distance”
• Excel spreadsheet for calculating Accuracy and Precision, Click here for video showing how.

Project Timeline:

1/31:     Launcher must be complete (fires projectile 6m, at a 30° angle).  Take picture of launcher Version 1.

2/1:       Collect first set of precision data.  Complete one precision data sheet with all group members’ names on it.  Save this data sheet until all precision modifications are complete.  Complete PowerPoint slides 1-3.

2/4:       Quiz.  Learn to make a calibration graph using the Pasco launchers.

2/8:       Modify your launcher to improve its precision.  This is the “First Set of Changes To Launcher.”  Write down your changes on precision data sheet or enter directly into PowerPoint.  Take a picture of launcher Version 2.  Collect a second set of precision data (get a new precision data sheet, if necessary).

Homework:  Complete PowerPoint slides 4-6.  Watch the video explaining how to measure your launcher’s accuracy and precision.Click here for video.

2/10:     If you have not done so already, create a “sight” for your launcher, and use the sight to aim your launcher.  Make any other necessary changes.  Then measure your launcher’s accuracy and precision.  Write down your changes on a precision data sheet or enter them directly into PowerPoint.  Take a picture of launcher Version 3. 

Homework:  Complete PowerPoint slides 7-9. 

2/14:     Adjust your sight or aiming method to improve your launcher’s accuracy.  Measure your launcher’s accuracy and precision one final time.  Complete graph of launch distance vs. pull distance.  

            Homework:  Complete PowerPoint slides 10-12

2/16:     Practice shooting projectile launcher at targets between 1m and 6m.  Prepare for competition next class.  Anticipate possible problems – absent group members, broken launchers, weakening rubber bands, etc.  These types of problems will not excuse “no-shows.”  This is a lesson in being prepared and responsible.  Homework:  Complete PowerPoint slide 13

2/18:     Physics Projectile Shootout.  PowerPoint files are due today.  Save as “group members names launcher project.”  Turn the file in by dragging it into this folder → M:, Stapleton; drop; physics; projectile launchers; your class.  If you cannot put your file in that folder, email it to jstaplet@bsdvt.org.  Do not make a mistake with the e-mail address.  Include all of your group members names in the subject line and the body of your message.  Don’t forget to attach the PowerPoint slideshow!!!

2/19:     Winter Break!!!

Physics Shootout Information:   The shootout has two components, a “Sniper Challenge” and the  “Timed Egg Siege.”

            Sniper Challenge:  Each group will shoot one shot at each of three different distances between 1 and 6m.  You will have 120 seconds to set-up and complete all three shots. 

Sniper Challenge Grading Cutoffs (average %deviation):  

0% = Perfect, 5% = A, 15% = B, 20% = C, 25% = D, 27.5% = D^-

            Timed Egg Siege:  Each group will have 180 seconds to shoot at four targets – two eggs and two circles of sand.  When the group hits each target for the first time, the time of impact (seconds since the start time) will be recorded.  Any target not hit by the group in the 180s is given a time of 180s.  The group’s score is the total of the impact times for each of their targets.  The worst possible score is 720s.  The best is zero, and the current record is 245s.  Extra credit will be awarded for excellent performance in whichever of the following ways provides the most points:

Option A

Option B

Project Grading:

• Daily assignment grades for being here and working on project-related tasks.
• PowerPoint File Completion: 5% of quarter grade.
• Sniper Challenge: 5% of quarter grade.
• Timed Egg Siege:  Extra credit for top finisher (s).  100% daily grade for any competitor scoring 600s or better.