Abstract
The standard projectile motion experiment in the general physics laboratory using a spring gun and metal projectile is not sufficiently sensitive to detect air resistance effects of the ball’s motion. These effects may be successfully studied by using a commercial tennis ball pitching machine which is capable of launching balls with speeds up to about 27 m/ s with negligible spin. Assuming an air resistance force of the form f=−bv2, the coefficient b may be shown by direct solution of the equations of motion to be dependent on the muzzle velocity, the horizontal speed of the ball as it strikes the ground, and its landing angle. By measuring these quantities, b may be obtained and its value then used to compute the drag coefficient CD for the ball. Experimental values of CD compare well with similar values obtained for smooth spheres by other methods.
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