1D60.55 - Parabolic Trajectory on an Incline Plane

Code Number:
1D60.55
Demo Title:
Parabolic Trajectory on an Incline Plane
Condition:
Good
Principle:
Gravitational Acceleration vs Horizontal Velocity
Area of Study:
Mechanics

Disclaimer

Equipment:
1" Ball Bearings, Ball Launcher, Large Shelf/Incline Plane, Grid Paper, and Carbon Paper.
Procedure:

Tape the grid and the carbon paper onto the incline plane and set at the desired angle.  Launch the ball from the desired height on the ball launcher.  Most likely you will not get a continuous line, but instead a series of dots as the ball travels down in a parabolic arc.

References:
  • Jennifer L. Burris, Brooke C. Hester, and Karl C. Mamola, "The Two-Bullet Problem with Constant Magnitude Drag Force", TPT, Vol. 56, #6, Sept. 2018, p. 340.
  • Willem H. van den Berg and Andrea R. Burbank, "Sliding Off a Roof: How Does the Landing Point Depend on the Steepness?", TPT, Vol. 40, #2, Feb. 2002, p. 84.
  • Jaime R. Taylor, Arthur W. Carpenter, and Patrick H. Bunton, "Conservation of Energy with a Rubber Ramp", TPT, Vol. 35, #3, Mar. 1997, p. 146.
  • John E. Beach, "A New Old Trajectory Experiment", TPT, Vol. 34, #8, Nov. 1996, p. 522.
  • Thomas B. Greenslade, Jr., "Packard's Apparatus", TPT, Vol. 34, #3, Mar. 1996, p. 156.
  • Lars Ostrup Petersen and Uffe Justesen, "Experimental Introduction to Moving Bodies", TPT, Vol. 34, #2, Feb. 1996, p. 104.
  • Walter Connolly, "Projectile Motion Board", TPT, Vol. 24, #8, Nov. 1986, p. 495.
  • Richard B. Minnix and D. Rae Carpenter Jr., "Air Table Experiments Without An Air Table", TPT, Vol. 23, #2, Feb. 1985, p. 113.
  • William P. Brown, "Monkey and Hunter in Slow Motion", TPT, Vol. 15, #6, Sept. 1977, p. 368.
  • R. A. Bachman, "Sphere Rolling Down a Grooved Track", AJP, Vol. 53, #8, Aug. 1985, p. 765.
  • A. P. French, "Projectile Range on an Inclined Plane", AJP, Vol. 52, #4, Apr. 1984, p. 299.
  • Stillman Drake and James MacLachlan, "Galileo's Discovery of the Parabolic Trajectory", Scientific American, March 1975, p. 102.
  • Robert Ehrlich, "5.4, Projectile Trajectory on an Incline, "Why Toast Lands Jelly-Side Down, p. 87 - 89.
  • Robert Ehrlich, "A.4, Rolling Balls on a Vibrating Plate", Turning the World Inside Out, p. 8 - 11.
  • Janice VanCleave, "Elliptical", Astronomy for Every Kid - 101 Easy Experiments That Really Work, p. 66 - 67.
  • R. A. Egler, "Simple Conversation of Energy Experiment for Introductory Labs", p. 8.
  • "5. Falling Bodies on an Inclined Plane and the Disjunction Operations", p. 80 - 81.
  • Joseph Frick, "#116 - Motion of Projectiles", Physical Technics: Or, Practical Instructions for Making Experiments in Physics and the Construction of Physical Apparatus with the Most Limited Means", p. 136.

Disclaimer: These demonstrations are provided only for illustrative use by persons affiliated with The University of Iowa and only under the direction of a trained instructor or physicist.  The University of Iowa is not responsible for demonstrations performed by those using their own equipment or who choose to use this reference material for their own purpose.  The demonstrations included here are within the public domain and can be found in materials contained in libraries, bookstores, and through electronic sources.  Performing all or any portion of any of these demonstrations, with or without revisions not depicted here entails inherent risks.  These risks include, without limitation, bodily injury (and possibly death), including risks to health that may be temporary or permanent and that may exacerbate a pre-existing medical condition; and property loss or damage.  Anyone performing any part of these demonstrations, even with revisions, knowingly and voluntarily assumes all risks associated with them.