Math III - Marble Shooter Project

The first step we took in the Marble Shooter project was to learn the various equations required for this project. These variables include the ∆y, or the height at which the marble reached, ∆x, which is the distance the marble traveled horizontally, the ∆t, which is the amount of time the marble was airborne, and the Vi, the initial velocity at which the marble was launched. The equations that these values are used are as shown:

Horizontal	Vertical
a= 0 m/s2 Vxi = Vicosø ∆x = ∆t =	a = -9.81 m/s2 Vyi = Visinø ∆y = ∆t =
Vxf = Vxi ∆x = Vxi∆t	Vyf = Vyi + a∆t ∆y = Vyi∆t + 1/2a(∆t)

In some way, one of these values were measured. Using the given equations, we were able to find the unknown values based on the values we do know.

The Build

The intention of learning all these various Math equations was to create a projectile (marble) launcher. We were to create a device that would launch a marble in the air, capable of launching at 3 different velocities at 10 different degrees.

This was the end result of my team, consisting of Nathaniel LeGare, Noam Zekzer, and myself.

Testing/Launch

To test our product, we were to launch a marble with our device at different degrees and velocities. We recorded the distance that the marble traveled horizontally (∆x) and the approximate amount of air-time the marble had (∆t). We launched the marble, adjusted angles, and set a stop watch to start and stop at the time of launch, and time of landing.

The following shows how the horizontal distance relates to the angle of launch


The following graph shows how the Vertical PEAK relates to the angle of launch.


Video of Test Shot: http://www.annegloag.com/AlgebraII/102CANON/MVI_0431.AVI