Marshmallow Catapult Lab
Purpose:
To launch a marshmallow as accurately as possible and make it go as far as possible.
Materials: 3 inch schedule 40 PVC
1/8 schrader valve
1/4-1/8 threaded brass adapter
1/4 pvc tee joint
1/4-3 inch coupling
3 inch end cap
1/4 inch 90 degree joint
1/4-3/4 coupling
3/4 inch barrel
Procedure:
The purpose of this laboratory assignment make a gun using PVC pipe and PVC epoxy to manufacture a air gun that can be used as a deadly weapon and is very dangerous. We launched from multiple areas of the field, such as 10 yards before the 0 yard line, as well as on the 2nd floor of the Franco Center to launch the gun at various PSI ranging from ~60 - 145 PSI.
Observations:
As Nicolas Dean and John Cooper continued to launch the gun for both entertainment and data observations (also to show off the intense effort put into the project), the gun’s air valve that the person launching moved to release the marshmallow began to leak (air, that is) over the duration of the testing on Tuesday, April 14th, 2015 at 10:50 A.M. Eastern Standard Time.
Error Analysis:
Error Analysis is a very important and common mistake that is made during scientific experiments. In this specific case, wind direction, and the force the marshmallow flew out of the gun which moved the marshmallow in a direction regardless of the wind caused error in correctly calculating the exact distance the marshmallow flew.
Cucluyshun (conclusion)-
Johann..esberg: (john seiden)
- At the end, “our launcher was top notch” - Nick Feola, a wise man. After shooting the marshmallow over 60 yards, Nicolas and I feel that we have succeed in fabricating a machine that compresses air and exerts that air as a force acting upon the marshmallow. I took the data recorded from the many launches and calculated the 2 dimensional motion of the marshmallow.