Physics: Projectile Motion Project?

Question

Hi,

I am working with a group of people on a physics project based on projectile motion. Our task is to build a ping pong launcher that will launch ping pongs into a bin 3.5 to 4.5 meters away from a line. The launcher must be behind this line. Furthermore, the ball can only be launched at a maximum of 30 cm above ground level. Do you have any suggestions that can help us construct our project?

Answer 1

The main issue seems to be propulsion. 30cm is a bit tight, but then again it is a ping-pong ball is it not? I would recommend a compressed air gun. One can pump a chamber with bicycle pump and then released its content to a tube containing the ball.


It should do the trick.

Have fun

Answer 2

Hi actually projectile motion is a fun project to do. My school's physics department organized for us a rocket experiment using water pumped into the rocket(bottle) as "fuel" to propel the rocket through the end when air is pumped in(to make the bottle pressurized). The best angle of launch is always at a 45 degree angle, that is when the mass travels the furthest. You should also assume that there are no air resistance and write something about the vertical component(v sin (angle)) and horizontal component(v cos(angle)) of the velocity which the mass is thrown in the air. Some Informationn: when the mass reaches the highest point of the motion, the vertical component of the velocity is zero. The horizontal velocity of the mass is always constant until hitting the ground (assuming negligible air resistance). Good luck and Hope that you can score well in our project.