Conservation of Angular Momentum and Energy in a Ballistic Pendulum

In this experiment you will analyze the angular collision between a ball and a physical pendulum. You will compare the angular momentum of the ball before the collision to the angular momentum of the pendulum-ball system after the collision. Both angular momenta are measured about the pendulum’s pivot point.

You will also compare the kinetic energy of the ball before the collision, the kinetic energy of the pendulum-ball system just after the collision, and the maximum potential energy of the system after the collision.

Grade Level: College • High School

Subject: Physics

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Source Collection: Lab #04

Ballistic Pendulum and Projectile Motion Experiments

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