Objective:

Measure pendulum motion

Theory:
Ballistic Pendulum is the perfect example of deceptive collision in which conservation of
momentum can be used for analysis, but conservation of energy during the collision cannot be
invoked because the energy goes into inaccessible forms such as internal energy. After the
collision, conservation of energy can be used in the swing of the combined masses upward since
the gravitational potential energy is conservative. Kinetic energy (1/2 mv2) is not conserved in
the collision however, momentum (mv) is conserved in the collision. Energy (PE + KE) is
conserved as the combined masses wind up after the collision. When a projectile is launched
horizontally from the launcher to the receiving pendulum arm it has an initial velocity therefore,
we have an initial momentum. The system at the momentum is accounted by the moving
projectile; the system projectile collides inelastically with the receiving pendulum. Because the
collision is inelastic, the momentum can be conserved before and after the collision the total
momentum of the system must remain unchanged. After the collision, the system behaves in a
basic conservative manner ( KE + PE=0 ), so the kinetic energy is converted to potential
energy as the pendulum arm rises without much energy being lost.
Formula:

Initial Velocity of Sphere:

v=

( m+mM ) 2 g (ddcos)

Average:
trial1+trial 2+trial 3+trial 4+ trial5=Average

Equipment:
-Ball (bob)
-Ballistic Pendulum Apparatus
- Protractor
-Spring Loaded gun
-Meter Stick
-Pan Balance

Diagrams :

Procedure:
With a pan balance to measure the mass, m, of the ball and mass, M , of the pendulum
bob without the arm. Record in Table I.
With a meter stick to measure the length of the pendulum and record in Table I. The
length of the pendulum is measured from the axis of rotation to the center of gravity of
the bob.
Allow the pendulum to hang freely and motionless. Fire the ball into the bob or cup for a
total of five times. For each firing record in Table II the angle

Using the data in Table I & II compute the initial velocity of the sphere and record in
Table III.
Compute the average velocity, v and record in Table IV.

Result:
Table I
Mass of Ball (kg)
0.060

Mass of Bob (kg)

Length of Pend. (m)

0.254

0.30

Table II
Trials
1
2
3
4
5

49
46
43
44
45
Table III

Trials
1
2
3
4
5

v (m/s)
7.44
7.01
6.58
6.72
6.81
Table IV
Vaverage (m/s)
6.942

Calculations
Trial 1:
0.300.30 cos ( 49 )
2(9.81)
v=
= 7.20 m/s
0 .06+0.254

0.06

Trial 2:
0.300.30 cos ( 46 )
2(9.81)
v=
= 6.79 m/s
0.06+ 0.254

0 .06

Trial 3:
0.300.30 cos ( 43 )
2(9.81)
v=
= 6.37 m/s
0 .06+0.254

0.06

Trial 4:
0.300.30 cos ( 44 )
2(9.81)
v=
= 6.51 m/s
0 .06+0.254

0.06

Trial 5:

0.300.30 cos ( 45 )
2(9.81)
v=
= 6.45 m/s
0 .06+0.254

0.06

Average:
7.20 + 6.79 + 6.37+6.45 + 6.51
_____________________
5

= 6.66 m/s

Conclusion:
In this lab experiment, we were able to determine the different velocities that were found
per trial of the pendulum. The final average of the trails were 6.66 m/s. Conservation of Energy
and the conservation of momentum was further understood during this experiment. Conservation
of energy can be used in the swing of the combined masses upward since the gravitational
potential energy is conservative.
Because this was is an experimentally determined value, there is error due to external
environmental influences and human error in calculation.
Lab Group
Scott Eberhardt - 0555673
Athena Thomas - 0806373
Asim Alam - 0820936
Gurjit Jaswal - 0807826

Experiment 9

Ballistic Pendulum
Athena Thomas