1

Save the Egg! Project

Brian Wong
MCV4U1
March 20, 2013

Table of Contents
Measuring vertical displacements in field projectile tests .............................................................. 3
Vertical Test ................................................................................................................................ 3
Horizontal Test ............................................................................................................................ 3
Discuss factors that affect theoretical parameters in modeling equations ...................................... 4
Derive projectile model equations of the projectile motion............................................................ 4
Determine horizontal projection given an assigned angle of projection......................................... 5
Step 1) Field Test Calculations ................................................................................................... 5
Step 2) 45 Launch Calculations ................................................................................................. 6
Determine the optimal launching angle for maximum horizontal projection ................................. 7

Measuring vertical displacements in field projectile tests

In order to achieve consistency and reduce error in data collection, the egg was launched twice
during the field test. One test was performed with the egg launched horizontally or 0 and the
second test was performed with the egg launched vertically or 90to the horizontal. The
techniques that were used to measure the displacements are detailed below.

Vertical Test
In the vertical launch test, the vertical displacement was
calculated rather than measured directly. This is because
the vertical displacement far exceeds the length of any tape
measure that we have. The displacement was calculated by
having a member of the team stand a distance x from the
launch point measure the angle y above the horizontal that
the egg reached. Using simple trigonometry, the vertical
displacement can be calculated by using the equation
xtany (Figure 1). In a vertical launch, there is no
horizontal displacement.
Figure 1

Horizontal Test
In the horizontal launch test, the egg was launched from the stage of the forum and was allowed
to make first impact on the ground of the lower forum. The vertical displacement was therefore
the height of the stage. The horizontal displacement is the distance between the launch point and
the point of first impact of the egg. This was measured using a tape measure.

Discuss factors that affect theoretical parameters in modeling equations

If we take a look at the equations provided in the handout, the variables affecting the vertical
displacement are the time during which the egg is airborne and the vertical component of the
initial launch velocity. The variables affecting the horizontal displacement are time, and the
horizontal component of the initial launch velocity.

The only factor that will affect the parameters in the equations is the angle of launch because that
is the only variable that will be manipulated throughout all launch tests. The angle will affect the
both the vertical and horizontal component of the initial launch velocity because they are
functions of launch angle and the initial launch speed.

cos .

sin .

The angle will also affect the time airborne because as the angle is increased and approaches 90,
the vertical component of the velocity increases. This allows the egg to travel higher and
therefore take longer to come back down.

Derive projectile model equations of the projectile motion

X(t) = cos * t
Y(t) = sin * t 1/2gt

X(t) =
=
=

cos *(

t)

cos * 1

Y(t) =
=

cos

=
Y(t) =

X(t) =

cos *(

cos *0

1)

=
=

cos *(

t) 1/2g *(

cos * 1 1/2g*(2t)
cos - gt
cos *(

1) - g*(

cos *0 g * 1

t)

t)

Determine horizontal projection given an assigned angle of projection

Step 1a) Determine the time airborne for the field test
Step 1b) Determine the initial launch velocity of the egg

Because the degree of error inherent in the experiment launched vertically is relatively high, the
data collected from the horizontal launch will be used for this set of calculations.

Step 1a) Time airborne for the field test

*
*

Step 1b) Initial launch velocity of the egg

Step 2a) Determine the time airborne for the egg at 45

Step 2b) Determine the range of the egg launched at 45
The launch angle assigned to this group was 45. As iterated in Question 2 of this report,
changing the launch angle changes almost all of the parameters in our equations. One thing that
doesnt change is the initial launch speed. The initial launch speed was calculated in Part 1b to
be 12.0 m/s.

Step 2a) : Time airborne at 45

* T
0 =

* T

Step 2b) : Range of egg at 45

=
=

)(

= 14.7 m

* T =
*T=

T=
=

)(

T = 1.73s

If the egg was to be launched at a 45 angle, it would have a range of approximately 14.7m.

Determine the optimal launching angle for maximum horizontal projection

In order to determine the optimal launching angle for maximum horizontal displacement, we
need to create a new equation that expresses the horizontal displacement in terms of only one
variable. In the current equation provided, two variables

and T are being manipulated.

(Equation 1)

In order to produce this new equation, we need to express one variable in terms of the other. In
this case, weve chosen to express

T=

(Equation 2)

The new equation is found by plugging in substituting equation 2 into equation 1.

=
=
=

* sin

* 2sin cos

By using the trigonometric identities (double angle formulas) that was taught in the Advanced
Functions course, we know that 2sin cos is equal to sin(2 ).

* sin(2 ).

Because the launch speed and the acceleration due to gravity is constant, the only variable that
changes in this equation is the angle . But what angle will cause sin(2 ) to yield this highest
value? Well, we know that at a maximum, sin produces 1.
sin(2 ) = 1
2=

(1)

2 = 90

= 45

The optimal launching angle for producing the maximum horizontal projection is 45