Physics Activity - Rubber band launcher (for projectile motion)

Link to Rubber band launcher training video. 

This activity is based on a rubber band device that can launch small objects, such as small marbles or stones, in a controlled manner so students can apply principles of projectile motion studied in many physics classes.

The rules and concepts that help us understand objects moving through the air in a parabolic path are based on fundamental physics principles and mathematical relationships. A constant horizontal speed, combined with a constant vertical acceleration due to gravity, are the reasons why we see the curved path.

With this launcher, students can measure the angle the projectile is launched at, and the horizontal distance it flies before it lands. Students can also stand where the object reaches its highest point, and can try and measure that height. If a timer or stop watch is available, students can time how long the object is in the air. From these measurements, students can try to use the kinematics equations (constant acceleration equations) to figure out the launch speed of the projectile. There are different variations of measurements a teacher can ask students to make, in order to calculate different quantities.

If there is access to the Internet, there is a nice simulation experiment that can be used to study properties of projectile motion; this includes the addition of air friction, which is difficult to consider in a physical experiment.