Vernier Projectile Launcher

Description

Use the Vernier Projectile Launcher to investigate important concepts in two-dimensional kinematics. Launch steel balls at angles between 0 and 70 degrees and over distances up to 2.5 m.

The solid, heavy base is provides an easy-to-use and reliable setup. A unique pneumatic launching system provides excellent repeatability and allows you to set the launch speed.

Built-in photogates and angle markings provide easy and accurate measurement of the ball’s launch velocity, allowing for precise quantitative analysis of projectile motion. Simply plug the device into a compatible data-collection interface.

Specifications

Download the user manual for full specifications

Experiments

Sample experiments include:

• Investigate the independence of the horizontal and vertical motion
• Use the photogates to measure launch velocity
• Knowing the launch velocity, predict the landing point when a ball is launched horizontally from a table top
• Knowing the launch velocity and launch angle, predict the landing point when a ball is launched at an angle on a lab table
• Knowing the launch velocity and launch angle, launch a ball through a horizontal or vertical hoop
• Investigate projectile range as a function of launch angle
• Determine which launch angles give the same range
• Determine which launch angle gives the maximum range
• Investigate the repeatability of the launcher
• Use the launcher, a video camera and the video features of Logger Pro to observe the launch path
• Given a specific launch distance, calculate the launch velocity needed to hit the target. Use the photogates to set the device to that launch velocity and test your prediction.