Experiment#11 – Conservation of Momentum

Purpose
The goal of this experiment is to determine the initial velocity of different projectiles by using a
ballistic pendulum. Once these values are obtained, they are then compared to results obtained by
using a classic kinematic approach. This experiment demonstrates the conservation of
momentum during a collision, and distinguishes between the conservation of total energy and the
conservation of mechanical energy.

Theory
A spring "gun" hurls a sphere in a horizontal trajectory so that it hits a catcher mounted on a rod
attached to a pivot. This apparatus is called a ballistic pendulum. The catcher traps the sphere in
an inelastic collision so that its momentum may be conserved. The catcher plus sphere then has a
velocity that makes them rotate in a vertical plane about the pivot until the potential energy
becomes equal to that of the kinetic energy after the collision. The pivot has a built-in clutch that
holds the pendulum at its highest point and allows an easy measurement of the potential energy
increase. While the mechanical energy (kinetic plus potential) after the collision is conserved, the
mechanical energy during the collision is not conserved. A test of these theoretical principles
will be made by performing two related experiments and comparing the results. The first
experiment measures the increase in potential energy of both the catcher and the sphere as a
result of the collision, and uses the conservation of energy and momentum to determine the
initial velocity of the projectile just before it strikes the catcher. The second experiment
independently finds the initial velocity of the sphere by making a kinematic measurement of the
horizontal distance traveled for a particular vertical height when the sphere acts as a projectile. If
Newtonian theory is correct, these two initial velocities should agree within experimental error.

Background
In this first of two experiments to find the initial velocity of the projectile, the projectile will be
launched into the catcher and cause them both to rotate about the pivot. The projectile of mass m
has a velocity vi immediately before it reaches the catcher. The projectile then collides
inelastically with the catcher (mass M) to give the combined masses a horizontal velocity v f .
During the collision, momentum is conserved, but mechanical energy (the sum of kinetic and
potential) is not. Momentum is conserved because no external (horizontal) forces act on the
system. Mechanical energy is not conserved because the collision is inelastic. Thus, the kinetic

1
energy of the sphere before the collision will not be equal to the potential energy of the sphere
and catcher at their highest point after the collision. However, the kinetic energy of the sphere
and catcher immediately after the collision will be equal to their potential energy at the highest
point of their arc. The resulting derived equation derived is then
(m  M )
vi  2 gh (1)
m
where h is the vertical height to which the sphere and catcher rise as a result of the collision

Procedure (Part 1)
1. Position the assembled ballistics pendulum at the edge of a table or lab bench. Turn the feet
up or down on the bottom of the base until the air bubble in the level, located near the post,
indicates that the pendulum base is perfectly level.

2. Adjustment of the projectile velocity can be made by turning the sleeve on the horizontal
shaft which is located on the end of the trigger assembly furthest from the pendulum post
assembly. Rotation of the sleeve changes the tension on the spring inside the trigger
assembly and produces a noticeable effect only after several complete turns. It is easier to
turn the adjustment sleeve before the trigger assembly is in the "cocked" position. The
adjustment sleeve should not be changed until both parts of the experiment are completed.
Check to see that the maximum tension is being applied to the spring.

3. Determine the mass of the steel and aluminum projectiles using a digital balance and record
each in Table 1.

4. Since the catcher cannot be removed and measured separately, read the effective mass of the
catcher off of the trigger housing assembly and record in Table 1.

5. The center of mass of the catcher/projectile appears as a red dot on the catcher. The
difference between the height of this dot before and after the projectile is launched is the
increase in height h as shown in the figure above the equations above.

6. To fire the sphere, slide the sphere onto the horizontal rod projecting toward the pendulum
post assembly and its catcher. Be sure the sphere is firmly seated. The firing mechanism is
armed when the sphere and rod are pushed horizontally away from the catcher until the
trigger engages.

CAUTION: Use care when operating this device. Do not stand or place hands or body in the
path of the projectile.

7. After the mechanism is armed, loosen the knob on top of the post so that the pendulum can
swing freely. Push the alignment pin (the small rod with red plastic ends) to the side (out of
the way of the pendulum). Do not let the pendulum and sphere strike the horizontal rod when
resetting as this may deform the rod end.

2
8. IMPORTANT: If consistently accurate readings are to be made, the next instruction must be
followed exactly. With the top knob loose, guide the catcher on the pendulum forward until it
touches the loaded sphere. Hold it there while tightening the knob on the top of the post.
After the knob is tightened, but before letting the pendulum go, push the alignment pin out
into the path of the pendulum. Then let the pendulum swing gently back until it touches the
alignment pin. At that point, gently pull the pin to the side, out of the path of the pendulum.
This operation exactly aligns the pendulum in the vertical position and reduces backlash in
the roller clutch.

9. Measure the vertical distance from the base to the red dot on the catcher.

10. Fire the pendulum by tapping down on the trigger lever located directly above the sphere.
The sphere will be propelled forward to hit the pendulum catcher, becoming trapped in the
rubber wedges and causing the pendulum to arc upwards. The roller clutch will stop the
pendulum at the peak of its arc and prevent it from dropping back down to its starting
position.

11. Determine the vertical distance from the base to the red dot on the catcher. The difference in
the two measured vertical distances is the height h.

12. Repeat the procedure four more times.

13. From the results obtained for the five trials, determine the average height h.

14. From the equations given above, find the initial velocity of the sphere before it hits the
catcher. This is a value determined by assuming that momentum is conserved during the
collision and mechanical energy is conserved after the collision. This value of vi will be
determined independently as described in the next experiment.

15. Repeat this procedure for the second sphere. Do not change the tension adjustment knob
between spheres.

3
Procedure (Part 2)

This purely kinematic experiment will determine the initial velocity of the projectile. Since the
projectile will be launched horizontally and the horizontal distance it travels before striking the
floor will be measured along with the projectile's initial vertical height above the floor. The
projectile travels in a parabolic arc with a constant horizontal velocity and a constant vertical
acceleration. The projectile is in the air for a time t during which it travels a horizontal distance R
given by
R  vi t (2)

where vi is the initial velocity of the projectile. The time the projectile is in the air is determined
by the vertical motion governed by the constant acceleration

1 2
H gt (3)
2

where H is the initial distance of the sphere above the floor and g is the gravitational
acceleration. The first equation can be solved for t which can be substituted into the second
equation and solved for vi to give
gR 2
vi  (4)
2H

The values of R and H can be measured by the following procedure.

1. Position the assembled ballistics pendulum at the edge of a table or lab bench. Adjust the feet
on the platform to insure that the launch platform is level.

2. Verify that the tension adjustment has not been changed between the previous experiment
and this one.

3. With the tension knob loose, rotate the catcher away from the trigger assembly until it is onto
the launcher assembly and out of the launcher's line of fire.

4. Fire the sphere out onto the floor to determine approximately where a lab partner needs to
position themselves to clearly observe the point of contact between the sphere and the floor.

5. Fire the projectile onto the target five times, taking care as to not stand or place hands or
body in the path of the projectile once the mechanism is armed. After each firing, mark the
point of contact between the sphere and the floor with small pieces of lab tape.

6. Measure the horizontal distance from the end of the firing pin to each mark.

7. Determine average of the horizontal distances R.

4
8. Measure the vertical distance from the bottom of the sphere to the floor when it is on its rod
(but not when the firing mechanism is cocked). Subtract the thickness of the target to
determine the vertical distance H.

9. Using Equation 4, determine the initial velocity vi of the projectile.

10. Repeat the procedure for the second sphere.

11. Determine the percent difference between the two methods, using the initial velocity value
obtained from the ballistic pendulum method as the theoretical value.

Data Section
Mass of the aluminum sphere _23.12 grams_

Mass of the steel sphere _63.96 grams_

Mass of the catching mechanism _116 grams_

Table 1: Ballistic Pendulum Results

Sphere h1 h2 h3 h4 h5 hAVG vi
material (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (m/s)
Aluminum 3.9 3.5 3.8 3.8 3.9
Steel 11.5 11.6 12.9 12.7 12.7

Table 2: Kinematic Results

Sphere R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 RAVG vi
material (m) (m) (m) (m) (m) (m) H (m) (m/s)
Aluminum 2.31 2.26 2.32 2.26 2.25 0.844
Steel 1.92 1.87 1.86 1.82 1.84 0.844

Percent difference in the aluminum sphere results __________

Percent difference in the steel sphere results __________

Questions

1) Using the concepts outlined in the its introduction, derived Equation 1.

5
2) In addition to the measured errors in the parameters h in the first experiment and R in the
second, a number of assumptions were also made in the equations. The first experiment
neglected the friction in the roller bearings and slippage of the clutch; the second experiment
neglected air friction. What other factors do you think are playing a significant role in this
experiment causing the values to be off from the true velocity? List two of your own factors
and describe how each effects the determined velocity.

1-

2-

3) Earlier it was stated that mechanical energy was not conserved during the collision. The
degree to which this is true can be determined by examining the energies involved based on
some of the results provided in Table 1.Make sure all the energies calculated in this problem
are in Joules. To begin with calculated the magnitude of kinetic energy of the aluminum
sphere before impact by using the initial velocity determined from ballistic pendulum
approach.

K.E. sphere =

Once that has been calculated then, based on the average height the marble and catcher
traveled after collision, determine the magnitude of the kinetic energy of the aluminum
sphere and catcher right after impact.

K.E. ball and catcher =

Lastly, determine the percent energy lost during the collision.

[(K.E. sphere - K.E. ball and catcher) / K.E. sphere] x 100% =

4) Using the ballistic pendulum simulation (link provided below) and the Equation 1, determine
the vertical height (h) and the initial velocity (vi) for the simulated system if (a) the mass of
the marble was quadrupled, (b) if both the mass of the catcher and the marble are quadrupled.

http://www.wiley.com/college/halliday/0470469080/simulations/sim13/sim13.html.

m (kg) M (kg) h (m) vi (m/s)

0.05 0.5
0.20 0.5
0.20 2.0