Projectile Motion When Entering The Ping-Ping Ball Launcher Contest

RESEARCH
When entering the ping-pong ball launcher contest, the goal is to score as many ping-pong balls into the can as possible. To be successful in this process, students must have an understanding of the science of projectile motion. “Projectile motion refers to the method used for calculating the trajectory of a projectile (which can be pretty much any physical object — a rock, a ball, etc.) as it moves through the air.” In other words, the science of projectile motion can be estimated by an equation that allows scientists to predict the length of the trajectory of an object when projected into the air. Therefore, projectile motion is basically the path an object travels through the air. When in flight, the object (in this case a ping-pong

The first catapult was created by the Greeks in 400 B.C.. The original catapult was actually based off of a crossbow, and it was called Gastraphete. It also functioned similar to a crossbow. Likewise, the first catapult was also small in size. Since, the Greeks found this new invention useful, the inventors created an enlarged model of Gastraphete, naming it Ballista. The catapult was created in the Middle Ages, and it was primarily used for castle sieges, and to protect the castle against enemies. This is why the Greeks decided to create a larger model. Seeing the immense destruction it caused the opposing side, creating a bigger model of the catapult would prove to be even more

According to a certain source, sometimes the simplest changes are the most efficient. For example, one tip states that to create a launcher from a mouse trap is easy. All there is to be done is to tear the “trigger arm” and “trigger mechanism” off of the mouse trap. Then, attach a spoon (with tape) to the base of the mouse trap. Apparently, it should be able to project up to thirty feet. Other resources also suggest using a spoon as a base for the ping-pong ball before the launch. In addition to attaching a spoon, it has also been suggested to use a triangular shape beneath the launcher (such as a door stopper or wedge) to allow the mousetrap to have a better angle to launch. For this experiment, it may be extremely important to acquire a wedge as part of the base, because the aim of the launcher has to be precise in order to make the ping-pong balls to land into the cans (which are twelve feet