1M40.40 • Conservation of Energy: Ballistic Pendulum

Location: Cabinet 2

Photo shows the demonstration used at the University of Texas at Austin.

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Instructions / Notes:

• As of February 2018 - only a small Pasco ballistic pendulum apparatus is available.
• A ~250 gram block is suspended by 30 cm rod so that it will swing freely when it is shot by a ~76 gram steel ball.
• The steel must be carefully inserted into the Pasco firing mechanism with a provided rod for this to work.
• As the ball is inserted, a firm steady force is used to compress a spring within the ballistic launcher.
• Once the ball is loaded, the pointer for the protractor must be moved downward before shooting the steel ball.
• As the block swings, it slides a pointer along a protractor.
• The steel ball works best - but a much lighter plastic ball is provide, even though it more difficult to load.
• Pull the string attached to a lever to fire the launcher.

Video shows the older version that was in use by the University of Texas at Austin until the end 2017.

Last updated on February 24, 2025