ballistic pendulum lab
Paul Abidogun, Dexter Aguado
Block ½
September 22, 2014
Ballistic Pendulum Lab
Objective:
Determine the velocity of the projectile as it reaches the pendulum.
Hypothesis:
Firstly, we guess that the outcome of the velocity of the projectile is 6.3 meters per second [left].The formulas we use to find the final velocity of the projectile are Trigonometry, Kinetic and Potential Energy, and Momentum.
Mass of the pendulum = 80.0g
Mass of the ball = 7.64g
Length of the string = 21cm
Equipment:
Ballistic pendulum device
Metal ball projectile
Procedure:
1. Ensure that the device is balanced so that the ball will shoot directly into the pendulum.
2. With the pendulum motionless, the red bar should be gently touching against the back of the pendulum.
3. Pull back on the launcher (like a pinball machine) so that it locks into one of the grooves.
4. Insert the ball in the front of the launcher. It will not go all the way in.
5. Push the launcher release lever (the thumb release is near the base).
6. Measure the angle that the red bar shows.
7. Repeat these steps at the same speed setting four more times.
Observations:
Trial 1st Angle
2nd Angle
3rd Angle
1
17.0
21.0
27.0
2
16.5
20.5
26.0
3
17.0
21.5
27.0
Analysis:
Error:
Environmental factors –We encountered some error due to environmental factor which was a result of the vibration of the pendulum box when the projectile was shot. Also, the surface were the experiment was performed was tilted which caused inaccuracy in measurement of the angles
Failure to check zero of instrument –We also encountered error due failure to check zero of the ballistic pendulum device after each successive shot of the pendulum. Failure to re-zero the ballistic pendulum device caused a system error in the measurement of the angles.
Parallax error: We encountered error due to parallax when reading the measurement off the scale,
Block ½
September 22, 2014
Ballistic Pendulum Lab
Objective:
Determine the velocity of the projectile as it reaches the pendulum.
Hypothesis:
Firstly, we guess that the outcome of the velocity of the projectile is 6.3 meters per second [left].The formulas we use to find the final velocity of the projectile are Trigonometry, Kinetic and Potential Energy, and Momentum.
Mass of the pendulum = 80.0g
Mass of the ball = 7.64g
Length of the string = 21cm
Equipment:
Ballistic pendulum device
Metal ball projectile
Procedure:
1. Ensure that the device is balanced so that the ball will shoot directly into the pendulum.
2. With the pendulum motionless, the red bar should be gently touching against the back of the pendulum.
3. Pull back on the launcher (like a pinball machine) so that it locks into one of the grooves.
4. Insert the ball in the front of the launcher. It will not go all the way in.
5. Push the launcher release lever (the thumb release is near the base).
6. Measure the angle that the red bar shows.
7. Repeat these steps at the same speed setting four more times.
Observations:
Trial 1st Angle
2nd Angle
3rd Angle
1
17.0
21.0
27.0
2
16.5
20.5
26.0
3
17.0
21.5
27.0
Analysis:
Error:
Environmental factors –We encountered some error due to environmental factor which was a result of the vibration of the pendulum box when the projectile was shot. Also, the surface were the experiment was performed was tilted which caused inaccuracy in measurement of the angles
Failure to check zero of instrument –We also encountered error due failure to check zero of the ballistic pendulum device after each successive shot of the pendulum. Failure to re-zero the ballistic pendulum device caused a system error in the measurement of the angles.
Parallax error: We encountered error due to parallax when reading the measurement off the scale,