OK, before I get into what I'm looking for, here's my assignment:
I have to build a device that will launch a ball approximately 10 grams in weight to a 10 cm wide hoop 1 meter away and 1 meter high.
Now, what I really want to do is build a ramp system that will use gravity to accelerate the ball and then redirect its direction so that it will launch high and far enough to get into the hoop. In my thinking, if I build it just right, it should work 100% of the time.
Question is, how do I successfully transfer the vertical motion of the ball at start into horizontal and vertical motion good enough to get the ball into the hoop?
Thoughts?
Other suggestions are really welcome.
-Joe
[edit] in the case that this involves complex math and you must use it, I'm currently enrolled in a pre-calc class. So go for it.

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