Ballistic Pendulum Lab Post 1

Title:

Ballistic Pendulum Lab

 

Procedure:

Method 1

1.      Record mass of projectile

2.      Record mass of pendulum

3.      Measure height of pendulum from the tabletop to the center of mass of the system h₁

4.      Do several trials (5) and measure maximum height of pendulum when projectile gets launched into it h₂

5.      Subtract h₁ from h₂ to obtain h

6.      Plug in h as well as the mass of the pendulum bob and the mass of the projectile into the equation to find velocity v=((M+m)/m)sqrt(2gh)

7.      Calculate kinetic energy by using velocity found in step 6. K=1/2(m)v²

8.      Calculate momentum by using the equation P=mv

 

Method 2

1.      Find xe. That is the distance from the projectile to the carbon paper

2.      Find y. That is the height from the gun to the floor

3.      Find d. That is how far in the ball landed on the carbon paper.

4.      Calculate vo. The velocity of the projectile before the collision

5.      Calculate Ko. The kinetic energy before the collision

6.      Calculate Po. The potential energy before the collision

 

Hypothesis:

I think momentum will be conserved because energy will not be lost in any other form. Therefore, the momentum of the projectile should continue when it hits the bob.

Kinetic energy will also be conserved

 

Materials/Equipment:

-Ballistic Pendulum System

-Measuring tape

-Scale