The Ballistic Pendulum and Projectile Motion

Purpose: In this lab we will determine the kinetic energy loss in the collision of the ball with the pendulum. We will use an independent determination of the initial velocity of the ball by firing it as a free projectile. This will be analyzed using the comparison of the velocity of the ball determined by the two different experimental arrangements.

Analysis: In this lab we shot the projectile ball from the pendulum apparatus. After this we recorded the mass of the projectile ball and the arm of the ballistic pendulum apparatus for future use in equations. The mechanical energy is conserved in the motion of the combined mass M+m. The combined mass moves with velocity V immediately after the collision. It swings up along the arc of pendulum where we can then record y2.

(Data and work attached)

Conclusion: This lab was successful and short. In this lab we found that the change of kinetic energy to be (-.298). We also calculated for Vf and found it to be 1.5m/s. Last we calculated Vi which was 6.6m/s. In the prior lab we found Vi to be 4.58m/s indicating a large discrepancy.