PURPOSE: To show that vertical and horizontal motion are independent.
DESCRIPTION: A spring loaded device sends two steel balls into motion. The balls drop loudly onto a metal pan placed on the floor. One ball travels with pure vertical motion. The other ball travels with a horizontal velocity as it drops vertically. Both balls collide onto the metal plate at the same instant.
EQUIPMENT: Two Ball Trajectory apparatus. Two steel shelves. C clamp. Stored in mechanics. Shelves stored in the ceiling rafters.
SETUP NOTES: Align the shelves on the floor and mark the locations where the
balls impact.