This page contains some sample abstracts from the project proposals and the formal written reports submitted in past semesters. (The abstracts have been somewhat edited. They are labeled PP or WR to denote whether they are from the Project Proposals or from the formal Written Reports.) You may use these abstracts to give you some ideas of the types of projects that you could work on (although you should develop your own approach or specific topic — not just copy one from here!), as well as to show you how abstracts are written.
To the Abstracts for the Final Project...
Abstracts for the Midterm Project
(PP) Men from the Sky and Terminal Velocity, by Travis Martin, Kelly McLaughlin, Rachel Ward, Tricia Webb, and Shauna Winters
Our project deals with terminal velocity and the effect that mass has on the terminal velocity of an object. We expect that the mass will effect our man’s terminal velocity, and that he will reach terminal velocity more quickly as more mass is added. This project will physically clarify for us what effect mass has on a falling object.
(PP) Going the Distance with 2-D Kinematics, by Jeremy Munday, Patrick Couch, and Ben McNutt
The purpose of this project is to find the best angle at which to launch a projectile so that it reaches the greatest horizontal distance. We expect to find that an angle of 45o above the horizontal will send the projectile the greatest horizontal distance. We found this topic interesting because of its wide range of applications (from sports to rocketry). We will be studying the effects of gravity, uses of the kinematic equations, 2-D vector arithmetic, and the results found from experimental data. We will launch the projectile at various angles and measure the horizontal distances of their trajectories. Then we will show how our results compare with theory as predicted by the kinematic equations.
(PP) Bullet Proof, by Jason Dodson, Tamara Major, Christopher Davenport, and Chad Thomas
We will be using a specific height to determine if initial speed has any correlation with the horizontal distance traveled or the time of fall. This means that we will be casting a ball off of a level surface at different speeds. We chose to do this because of the analogy that if a bullet is fired and another id dropped (at the same time!) they would hit the ground at the same time.
(PP) The Motion of Flying Projectiles that could Result in Serious Injury if Studied Carelessly, by Thomas Bobbit, Katie Ham, Aaron Higgins and Pamela Sykes
We intend to study the distance and time of travel for an arrow as a function of the angle from which it is shot. We hope to get enlightenment on the topic of 2-D kinematics and a complete comprehension of its workings. This will be an interesting project because of both interest we all share in studying 2-D kinematics and the knowledge that any one of us could possibly be seriously wounded at some point in the experiment. In this project, we will study the behavior of motion of an object (an arrow) fired at different angles from the horizontal and see how far the object will travel horizontally and the corresponding time of travel.
(WR) Aiming at Kinematics: The Nerf Gun Challenge, by Todd Griffin, Allegra Mays, Eric Jones, and Ashley Vance
In studying the behavior of a nerf-gun arrow under two different conditions (dropped and fired horizontally), we attempt to prove that both arrows will assume the same time to fall to the ground. Our experimentation records several trials from varying heights of dropping and firing our arrow. In each drop or shot we record the time required for the vertical fall of the arrow. In a graphical and empirical comparison of our data, we find the arrow to assume the results we expect. Our analysis indicates that horizontal velocity acts upon an object independently of gravitational (vertical) pull.
(WR) Average Velocity: An Experiment on the Dependency on Mass, by Brian Moat, Gene Alley, Lori Bruce, and Shannon Huff
We investigate whether an object’s average velocity is in fact independent of its mass when dropped from various heights. We record the time of fall from various heights (from 0.15 m to 6.70 m) of three objects: a Ping-Pong ball, a tennis ball, and a basketball. Knowing the time and total distance of fall then allows us to compute the object’s average velocity. It was found that one of the objects (the Ping-Pong ball) reached terminal velocity within the distances measured. The remaining objects were found to fall with the same average velocity to within uncertainties. We conclude that the average velocity of falling objects does not depend on mass as long a terminal velocity is not being approached.
(WR) Average Velocity: An Investigation of the Dependency of Cross-Sectional Area, by Brooke Haynes, Joanne Regensburg, Joshua Boutwell, and Jeff Burkhalter
We attempted to determine how an object’s velocity is affected by its cross-sectional area when dropped from varying heights. We used three different objects: a large bouncy-ball, a basketball, and a small bouncy ball. We dropped these balls from seven different heights and recorded the time it took for each of them to hit the ground. The objects’ average velocities could then be calculated using the data obtained above. We plotted the data on a graph and found that cross-sectional area did have an effect on the fall-time of the objects.
(WR) Free-Falling Distance vs. Time: Does Mass Make a Difference in Time of Descent?, by Terry Walker, Dorothy Cope, Chara McMunn, and Daniel Tidwell
As a group we decided that it would be interesting to investigate whether the mass of an object falling from various heights has an impact on the velocity of that object. Beginning at 20 ft and measuring down in one-ft increments, we timed the fall of three different balls with two stop watches. These data were then recorded, averaged, and used to create graphs to visually depict the results. It was concluded that mass does not influence velocity to within our uncertainties. It was further concluded that only one ball reached terminal velocity.
(WR) Thunder Road, by Kim Vo, Vikki Cope, Brad Bennett, and Josh Phillips
In the experiment “Thunder Road”, we launched a remote-control truck from one ramp to another. Our goal was to find how far apart the ramps had to be to make a successful landing. This is where we used the kinematic equations. After we tested the truck, we found out that the truck had a set maximum speed. then we broke the experiment down into two main parts: the ramp and the distance of flight. We concentrated on these two elements separately, used kinematics to find missing quantities, and lastly tested our data results from the final equations. Our experiment showed that our calculated predictions from the equations agreed with the experimental results to within uncertainties.
(WR) Terminal Velocity in the Library, by Sarah Gordon, Mindy Sands, Dawson Toungette and Mike Wohlford
Our experiment was designed to further investigate the effect of weight on the point of terminal velocity. We used a handkerchief as a parachute and three different weights of washers to determine the effect the weight would have on how high the drops would need to be for the parachute to reach terminal velocity. All three weights were dropped from the same heights. Of the three weights used, only two reached terminal velocity. The heaviest weight was just reaching terminal velocity at our highest point. For each drop, we recorded the height from which we dropped the parachute and the time it took to reach the ground. The resulting position vs. time graph for each weight shoed that heavier objects require a higher drop in order to reach terminal velocity, as expected.
Abstracts for the Final Project
(PP) Move Over Water: An Investigation of Archimedes’ Principle, by Tamara Major, Kelly McLaughlin, Ben McNutt and Joanna Wright
During this project we plan to look at Archimedes’ Principle, buoyant forces, density and volume. We are going to use three objects of different shapes and volumes, one kind of liquid, string, and a container. We want to study Archimedes’ Principle of buoyant forces to verify that it holds true in physical applications. By placing various objects into a liquid, we plan to prove that the buoyant force is equal to the weight of the liquid displaced by the object. It is also our intent to confirm that the volume of these objects will be equal to the volume of the displaced liquid.
(PP) Roll Baby, Roll, by Matt Victory, Thomas Bobbit, and Chris Miller
We wish to find information regarding rolling objects. Specifically, we wish to find the distance from the edge of the table that the balls will travel when the starting position is the same and the mass changes. We will also be finding the final speed of the balls before they leave the table. We chose to do this project for two specific reasons. The first reason being that, when similar experiments were done for the Midterm Project, things such as Moment of Inertia and Rolling Motion were not yet understood. The second reason is that we were running out of time and could not think of anything else — a common reason for many groups, although most would not admit it....
(PP) Spring Constant into Friction, by Joshua Boutwell, Jason Dodson, Shauna Winters, and Christy Blankenship
We will try to determine the coefficient of kinetic friction for the varied roughnesses of our surfaces. We will use a spring that is attached to a surface (a table) and then compress it back by a specific distance. After the spring is compressed, we will place the block in front of the spring and release it from rest. This will give us an initial velocity of the block. We will then change the roughness of the surface by inserting a specific grade of sandpaper (which will change with each attempt) and time the block as it slides across the surface to a stop. We predict that the rougher the surface, the less time the block will take to stop.
(WR) Kandle Killer, by Jonathan Ralston, Andrea Maxwell and Santasiri Sirikul
The goal of our project was to determine the approximate muzzle velocity of a certain Marksman Repeater pellet pistol by using the Conservation of Momentum and 2-D Kinematics. We fired pellets into candles of varying mass and measured the horizontal distance of fall, which allowed us to find the velocity immediately after the collision. The Conservation of Momentum then allowed us to solve for the desired muzzle velocity. Our basic conclusion was that although our experimental value for the muzzle velocity is around 28 m/s slower than that of the factory specification of 61 m/s, the conservation of momentum did allow us to find an approximate value of 33 m/s for the muzzle velocity. We think that the discrepancy in our results from the factory specification may be due to our having included values from the heavy candle mass, which was too heavy in relation to the momentum of the pellet.
(WR) Speed Zone: Analysis of an Inelastic Collision, by Jesse Larrison, Jill Haynes and Kelley Finlen
Our group utilized two toy cars and a track with a circular loop in the middle to extract most of our data. We released one car from a measured height at the beginning of the track which sent the car downhill headed for the loop. Sitting still at the base of the loop was the second car. The two cars collided and the second car was propelled through the loop and carried on the same as if the first car would have executed the loop unscathed. The measurements retrieved from every aspect of this experiment would show us the properties of collision, energy loss, and if momentum was really conserved.
(WR) Smashing Balls: The Conservation of Momentum, by Travis Laurence, Randall Harrison, Chris Young and Allen Parris
This experiment was conducted to prove that momentum is conserved. This was done by colliding two pool balls, of which the potential energy is known, and observing their behavior. Using the idea that energy is conserved, we determined the kinetic energy associated with each ball. From this we were able to determine the velocity of each ball. This velocity multiplied by the mass of the ball gave us the momentum. We compared this momentum with the momentum from the control experiment and found them to be equal to within uncertainties.
(WR) Factors that Affect Simple Harmonic Motion, by Lori Bruce, Jarrett Foust, Shannon Huff, and Jason Ray
This project investigates the factors that affect simple harmonic motion. Specifically, we investigate the effects of mass, size, angle of release and radius of curvature on the period of simple harmonic motion displayed by a ball rolling along a vertically curved track. In our investigation we plot a “Period vs. Radius of Curvature” graph, finding it to be a nonlinear plot. A linear plot was obtained and the data analyzed by means of plotting T4 vs. R. The results are analyzed and discussed.
(WR) Bernoulli’s Principle: An Investigation into Flight, by Jayson McCoy, Matt Allen, Brian Moat and Renee Reutter
Our project was to study the application of Bernoulli’s Principle to flight. In particular, we used the university wind tunnel to measure air speeds along the wing surfaces of two different wing structures. This enabled us to calculate pressure differences and lift forces for the different types of wings. We also studied the effects of flaps on the wings. We find that a relatively small increase in wing area results in a dramatic increase in lift. This study provided us with a great appreciation of the work that goes into the design and construction of airplane wings.
(WR) Simple vs. Physical Pendulum, by Gene Alley, Angie Boyd, Ashley Vance and Michele Summy
In this project we studied the effects of angular amplitude, length and mass on simple and physical pendulums, where the physical pendulum was a baseball bat pivoted on a thin rod through holes drilled through the bat. We compared the period measurements of the two types of pendulums graphically to see if the behavior was the same. We concluded that the simple pendulum was affected only by its length, while the physical pendulum was affected by angular amplitude, length and mass. Graphically the two compared closely until a point close to the bat’s center-of-mass at which point something weird started to happen. This problem was unexplainable and left for future study.
(WR) Whackin’ the Cradle, by Todd Griffin, Eric Jones, Brad Hopkins and Kendra Gentry
Our work seeks to describe the behavior of the “Newton’s Cradle” apparatus (several metal balls hanging from threads bouncing into one another). Specifically, we focus on the disruption of the swinging motion of the apparatus. Our investigation centers on the frictional variables of the apparatus and how they affect the transfer of energy. We assimilate the most likely source of friction created by the motion and draw data to relate that motion, or decreasing motion, with the height from which the apparatus is started. Thus, we accurately describe the motion of the apparatus, as well as relate the efficiency of the machine at variable points of release.