E202: CONSERVATION OF MOMENTUM:

THE BALLISTIC PENDULUM

POLICIOUS, Mark Angelo F.

OBJECTIVE

MATERIALS AND METHODS

For this experiment, we aim to confirm, and in

addition to demonstrate the law of conservation
of momentum. Through the utilization of this
principle, we will able to get the velocity of a
steel ball. For this strategy, the ball is propelled
towards the pendulum which causes inelastic
impact. Energy is saved directly after the impact
which causes the pendulum to ascend. Then
again, an alternate strategy was utilized which
display the principle of projectile motion. A steel
ball is fired horizontally, which leaves a projectile
path. The speed or velocity of the steel ball will
rely on upon the range of the shot.
Subsequently, an evaluation was made for which
can give a precise result and can clarify that this
two methods are similar or identical.

For the first experiment, the speed or velocity of

the steel was determined using the principle of
conservation of momentum. For the second part
is the application of the principle of projectile
motion. The tools given were pendulum, steel
ball and meter stick. Ballistic Pendulum is
consists of a spring gun that fires the steel ball,
weighs 144 g, to the pendulum catcher and the
angle indicator which swings up after the inelastic
collision of the
steel ball to
the pendulum
catcher .

Physics can assists anyone to understand some

confusions that today's media can bring. In some
activity films, if an individual is hit by a ball, they
will promptly fly back due to the impact. This
experiment could help us comprehend the
thought that the energy applied at work and in
motion is not preserved. For this experiment,
pendulum and the steel ball plays vital role.
Considering conservation of momentum makes
you wonder, if the shot can toss an individual in a
certain distance, what would the force of the
firearm known as recoil have done to the
shooter?
The application of conservation of momentum is
broadly operated and known throughout the
world especially in car collisions.
Projectile motion can likewise be utilized to be
able to determine the speed of a bullet. At the
point when a projectile is fired horizontally at a
certain height, it has a tendency to go down
because of gravity.

This Ballistic
Pendulum
is
manufactured
by PASCO ME6800. It used
to capture the
ball
impact.
Meter stick is a
tool
for
measuring the distances and lengths of an
object, the range of the fired steel ball, the
height of the pendulum catcher and etc.
For the first part of the experiment, the spring
gun is towards to the pendulum where the ball
will be caught. The steel holding the pendulum
catcher must be vertically set and its angle
indictor must be nearly to zero degrees. The
table must be leveled to avoid errors and
inconsistencies. The height of the pendulum
center of gravitation, with cross mark, to the
surface of the table was measured in a meter
stick. Shortly after setting the power of spring
gun to medium, the steel ball is fired towards the
pendulum. As happened, the pendulum displaced
a certain height and the angle indicator swung up
1|Page

and leaved an angle. This was done in a few

trials. Each displacement results to distinctive
readings, the angle
and the final height.
The final height is
located where the
last angle swung up.
The final height can
be measured by a
meter stick and the
length of the arm of
the
pendulum
is
already given. The
delta height can be
figured
by
subtracting the final height to the initial height.

vertical distance where the ball launched and

horizontal distance where the ball. This process
was done in exactly five trials.
For more
accurate and easy
measurement, the
ballistic pendulum
must close at the
edge of the table.
From that, we can
get
the
flat
separation. In the
wake of finishing
the whole variable required, we can now focus
the beginning speed of the ball.

Spring gun should not be faced to anybody and

especially to glasses to avoid accidents. Keenly
measure the distances, lengths and height to
refrain getting an inaccurate data. Data must be
agreed to all members in order to maintain the
good flow of the experiment.

Table 1: Getting the Initial Velocity of the Steel Ball,

Ballistic Method

For the second part and since the pendulum arm

is
not
needed
anymore,
to
remove
from
obstruction
or
distraction,
the
pendulum was set
upward
and
parallel to the
spring
gun.
A
Carbon paper lay
on the floor. The
purpose
of
Carbon paper was
to mark the range when the fired steel ball
landed to the paper and it is use to determine
range of the projectile object by means of
measuring. From then, the steel ball will be
dispatched from the spring gun and make a
trajectory. This happens by putting force of the
spring into medium power and releasing it by
pulling the yarn perpendicular to the spring gun.
Shortly after the launched, velocity of the steel
ball can be determine by means of measuring the

OBSERVATIONS AND RESULTS

Trial
1
2
3

Angle
27
27.5
27

27

27

Average:

27.1

y1=
y2=
y=
u=
v2=
v1=

Initial height of the pendulum

Final height of the pendulum
Increase in height y=y2-y1
Velocity of steel ball and
pendulum after collision
Velocity of the pendulum
before collision
Velocity of the steel ball
before collision
6.2
9.5
3.3
80.4239
0
379.2894

cm
cm
cm
cm
cm
cm

Sample Computation:

2|Page

Table 3: Determining the Percentage Difference

Percentage Difference

4.0329%

Table 2: Getting the Initial Velocity of the Steel

Ball, Trajectory Method.
(
Gravitational constant g = 980 cm/s

Horizontal
Trial
Distance,x
1
151.1
2
152.6
3
154.4
4
156.8
5
159.2
Average
x:
154.82

DISCUSSION & CONCLUSION

cm
cm
cm
cm
cm

Height

Velocity

cm

Sample Computation:

y=

88.5

cm

v1= 264.29 cm/s

There are two methods in getting the initial

velocity of the steel ball. The first one is the
conservation of momentum (look at first table)
and the second one is the principle of projectile
motion (look at second table). The third table is
percent difference of the two initial velocities
wherein it determined the closure of the two
gathered data.
In the first table, initial velocity of the steel ball
can be determined by the masses of the objects,
measured height and using the given formula
while in the second table, the measured distance
landed by steel ball and the measure height of
the spring gun to the floor.

The impact of the ball and the pendulum catcher

is perfectly inelastic due the proportionality of
mass before and after the collision to the kinetic
is stored

Apparatus itself can be the nature of error. In the

conservation of momentum, friction can be a
source of error due to the impact of plastic and
steel. The inaccurate measurement of the height
and distance landed by the launched ball and also
the recoil of the spring gun as well as air
resistance can be source of error. Human
mistakes like imprecise reading of the data in
terms of measuring and the limited trials.
3|Page

The law of conservation of momentum as well as

the principle of the projectile motion was broadly
connected in the determination of speed or
velocity of the steel ball. If the result of the two
in nearly identical the velocity is right.
The collision happened in the determination of
velocity of the steel ball using law of conservation
of momentum is an inelastic collision in which the
ratio masses before and after collision is
proportional to the ratio of momentum before
and after collision. The ratio is not totally equal,
the reason are human mistake like inadequate
precision in reading the data such as measuring
especially there is an micro distance that
measure in decimal format, the friction, the recoil
and lack of measuring materials.
Just information, in elastic collision, energy is not
preserved or stored. There is always a high
amount of energy will be dispatched in the object
while in momentum there is an energy stored but
it is very diminutive.

Sources:

http://hyperphysics.phyastr.gsu.edu/hbase/balpen.html

http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/
momentum/Lesson-2/MomentumConservation-Principle

http://www.citycollegiate.com/force_moti
on_Xd.htm

http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/
momentum/Lesson-1/Real-WorldApplications

http://www.scienceclarified.com/everyday
/Real-Life-Chemistry-Vol-3-Physics-Vol1/Conservation-Laws-Real-lifeapplications.html

Nowadays, collision is very broad especially in

auto crashes with other auto. The impact needed
to degrade a wall. It means this experiment is
actually can be done in reality but mostly on
tragedy and the recoil of every heavy weapon.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT & REFERENCE
First and Foremost, I would like to thank my
group mates for providing for me an opportunity
to go along with them and this success of this
experiment isnt possible without the their help.
Next, Prof. Ricardo De Leon, for continuing in
assisting, monitoring and making the experiment
fill with humor, despite the fact that the class is a
little bit noisy and imparting us his insight about
the experiment. Thank you Prof. De Leon.
I would like acknowledge the Laboratory
Assistants for assisting students politely and
giving hints about the experiment and also for
being approachable.

4|Page

5|Page