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Ballistic Pendulum

Ballistic pendulum suspended from a horizontal rod.

Concept Overview:

1. Transfer and conservation of momentum

2. Elastic Collisions

3. Inelastic Collisions

Lecturer Procedure for Demonstration

Steps to FollowExpected ResultExplanation

1. Place ball on spring with spikes pointed toward spring.

2. Compress spring.

3. Release ball.

Ball will travel from the edge of the spring and impact the pendulum.  Pendulum will swing, moving the marker on the meter stick.  Ball will roll away from pendulumThe momentum of the ball is transferred to the pendulum.

1. Place ball on spring with spikes pointed away from spring.

2. Compress spring.

3. Release ball.

Ball will travel from the edge of the spring and impact the pendulum.  Pendulum will swing, moving the marker on the meter stick.  Ball will remain attached to the pendulum.The momentum of the ball is transferred to the pendulum.
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Identifier
M: EngMom - 002