The Ballistic Pendulum

Purpose: To use the ballistic pendulum to determine the initial velocity of a projectile using conservation of momentum and conservation of energy.
Part 1:

Ball shot into cylinder data

 5. From these data calculate the initial velocity v using equations V = (2gh)^1/2 and mv = (M+m)V.

mv = (M+m)(2gh)^1/2

v = [(M+m)(2gh)^1/2]/m

v = [(.1994+.0573)(2*9.8*.096)^.5]/.0573
v = 6.145 m/s

Part 2:

Ball shot not into cylinder data

2. From the values of deltaX and deltaY calculate Vo by the use of equations deltaX = Vox*t + .5ax*t^2 and deltaY = Voy*t + .5ay*t^2.

deltaX = 2.7319 and deltaY = -1.006

Vox = deltaX/(deltaY/-4.9)^.5

Vox = 2.7319/(-1.006/-4.9)^.5

Vox = 6.029

3. Find the percent difference

[(6.145 - 6.029)/6.029]*100 = 1.92% difference

Conclusion: This lab was to have us find velocity for a projectile object. I learned that it is best to have the same person launch the ball each time. Otherwise it is one more variable that isn't controlled. The error in our lab could have come from having different people launch the ball. To make this lab better we can keep as many things consistent as we can.