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Chrishaum
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Simple Determination of Initial Velocity of a Projectile
It is possible to roughly determine the initial velocity of a projectile shot from a launcher like the one linked to below using a number of methods.
http://www.science4schools.co.uk/acatalog/10-1365.jpg [Broken]
Two of which I am aware are:
(1) shooting the projectile horizontally and using the range to calculate the initial velocity and
(2) catching the projectile in a foam block (free to swing) immediately after it is fired and using the change in height to calculate the initial velocity with conservation of energy and momentum. Here is the swinging catcher: http://www.science4schools.co.uk/acatalog/10-1368.jpg [Broken]
The first method seems to be more accurate, but it takes longer than the second method.
What fast, accurate methods are there for determining the initial velocity, utilizing common physics classroom tools?
It is possible to roughly determine the initial velocity of a projectile shot from a launcher like the one linked to below using a number of methods.
http://www.science4schools.co.uk/acatalog/10-1365.jpg [Broken]
Two of which I am aware are:
(1) shooting the projectile horizontally and using the range to calculate the initial velocity and
(2) catching the projectile in a foam block (free to swing) immediately after it is fired and using the change in height to calculate the initial velocity with conservation of energy and momentum. Here is the swinging catcher: http://www.science4schools.co.uk/acatalog/10-1368.jpg [Broken]
The first method seems to be more accurate, but it takes longer than the second method.
What fast, accurate methods are there for determining the initial velocity, utilizing common physics classroom tools?
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