Name of Investigation - 1st Law of Motion - Inertia

Speed determines distance
When the potential energy of the spring is converted to kinetic energy of the launching tray,
the projectile with the larger mass (heaviest) will have the less speed of the tray.
Lightweight mass = fast speed = longer distance
Heavier mass = slower speed = shorter distance
Hypothesis
Which projectile (see chart on next page) will land farthest from the Catapult Gun when
fired?
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Conduct a scientific experiment in groups of four.
Student Jobs
Shooter – hold the gun and fire and load the gun from a collection of projectiles
Viewer – look at the gun sideways to make sure it is parallel with the top & end of table
AND measure distances and record data
Marker –mark the landing spot with tape (not where the projectile ended up)
Make this a “fair” experiment:
• Angle at which gun is held is the same
• Height from which the projectile is launched is the same
• Conditions of the environment (wind) is the same
Have Shooter load the gun from a collection of projectiles &