Using rubber bands and a plastic rule or other suitable support, design and build a marble launcher. By pulling the rubber band back by the same amount each time, you should be able to launch the marble with approximately the same speed each time. (Warning: Leave yourself ample room free of breakable objects!)
a. Produce a careful drawing of your launcher and note the design features that you used. (Prizes may be available for the best design.)
b. Placing your launcher at a number of different angles to the horizontal, launch marbles over a level surface and measure the distance that they travel from the point of launch. Which angle yields the greatest distance?
c. Fire the marbles at different angles from the edge of a desk or table. Which angle yields the greatest horizontal distance?