Ramp experiment 080929
Obtain the data necessary to find right-left and left-right accelerations of the
ball on a ramp lying on table. Specify the orientation of the ramp (e.g.,
north-south, east-west, etc.).
Find the horizontal range of the projectile for a ramp supported by 1, 2 and 3
dominoes. Use a short horizontal ramp at the end of the sloped ramp to redirect
the velocity so that the initial velocity of the projectile is horizontal. Also
make observations necessary to find the time required for the ball to accelerate
down the ramp (assume uniform acceleration).
For each setup find the velocity of the ball as it leaves the end of the last
ramp, based on your observations of the projectile motion.
Based on your timing of the ball on each ramp, what is the final velocity on
each? To what degree is this consistent with the results obtained from the
projectile motion? As best you can, in the greatest detail possible, explain any
discrepancy between these results.
Find the ramp with the smallest slope such that a ball going up the ramp will smoothly stop then roll back down (if the slope is too small the ball's motion near the stopping point may be a little jerky rather than smooth, due to small surface irregularities on the ramp). Give the ball a nudge and time it up and down the ramp. Observe the distance it moves up the ramp before turning around. Find the difference in accelerations up and down the ramp.