Ballistic Pendulum Essay

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| Ballistic Pendulum and Conservation of Momentum | | | Ariel F. HerreraMatthew Graham (Partner)Physics 1 lab (Monday) | 10/18/2011 | | 1. Abstract: In this experiment, our objective is to validate one the most important and frequently used tools of physics: the law of conservation of momentum, while also determining the original velocity of the pendulum. We do so by comparing results from two experiments conducted with a single ballistic launcher/pendulum apparatus. In the first, we use kinematics methods alone to determine a mean initial velocity for a projectile. In the second, we add a ballistic pendulum and derive a projectile velocity using conservation of momentum and energy principles. Our results show momentum and kinematics methods yield highly accurate, nearly identical, results with % error value within 3.8%. 2. Introduction/Theory: Part 1: The ballistic pendulum is a device where a ball is shot into and captured by a pendulum. The pendulum is initially at rest but acquires energy from the collision with the ball. Using conservation of energy it is possible to find the initial velocity of the ball. momentum=mass*velocity p=mv Law of Conservation of momentum: pbefore=p(after) So in our experiment: pbefore=mv(of ball) pafter=M+mV, so mv=M+mV therefore, v=M+mm*V Energy consideration: Kinetic energy=potential energy 12*mv2=mass*g*height lifted m=mass, v=velocity so,12*M+mV2=M+mgh therefore,12*V2=gh , V=2gh Putting both together: v=(M+m2gh)/m Part 2: Kinematics (using projectile motion to get the v of the ball) Strictly using kinematics methods, we can calculate an initial velocity for a projectile if we know its height of launch, and launch distance. To simplify our experiment, we choose a horizontal launch angle. Given the launch height, we can discover the time the ball takes to fall due to gravity

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