Mechanics:
Ballistic Pendulum

PIRA Class: 1M40.42

Purpose:
To demonstrate conservation of energy and conservation of momentum.

Description:
A small marble is fired into a pendulum which then swings up to an angle which can be measured. The plunger on the launcher can be pulled back to three different settings for different launch speeds.

Measure the maximum angle the pendulum reaches then work backwards applying conservation of energy to find the pendulum+ball speed post-collision then apply conservation of momentum to work backwards to find the speed of the ball pre-collision.

Equipment:
Ballistic pendulum and ball

Location:
Stored in one of the lab rooms, talk to Matt Abbott to borrow one (soon Matt will purchase one to keep in the demo room), shelf 132 (ball)