Extended Essay
A study on how a shot put ball's angle of launch affects its range, considering air resistance.
Document Type
Extended Essay
Academic Context
IB Extended Essay
Category
Academic Research
Research Summary
This essay analyzes the effect of varying launch angles (20°, 25°, 30°, 35°, 40°) on the horizontal range of a projectile, specifically accounting for the decelerating effects of air resistance.
Experimental Design
A custom mechanical launcher was constructed using a spring-loaded mechanism, an adjustable ramp, and a protractor for precise angle measurement. Launches were recorded using high-speed video to accurately determine the time required to traverse a fixed 50cm interval.
Key Findings
The experimental data demonstrated a strong inverse relationship between the launch angle and the initial velocity achieved by the mechanism. Furthermore, a proportional increase in range was observed for angles up to 40 degrees, which aligns with the theoretical predictions derived from the modified kinematic models.