1. The Ballistic Pendulum
Unit A: Momentum

2. Ballistic Pendulum
A device used to measure the speed of bullets by applying the conservation of Momentum and the Conservation of Energy

3. Bullet and Block

4. The speed of the bullet before impact
A kg bullet is projected from a rifle into a kg block of wood. (ballistic pendulum). The bullet becomes imbedded in the wood and the pendulum rises to a vertical height of m. Determine
The speed of the bullet before impact
of bullet and block
When it swings upward it has a height of m

5. of bullet and block = of bullet and block
Speed of bullet and block immediately after impact

7. To determine the speed of the bullet before impact, we use the conservation of momentum.

8. Determine the percentage of kinetic energy lost in the interaction.

9. Eg) A 2000 kg truck traveling at 7
Eg) A 2000 kg truck traveling at 7.0 m/s left collides head on with a 4000 kg van traveling at 2.00 m/s right. After the collision the two vehicles interlock. Determine the amount of kinetic energy lost in the collision.
First determine the common velocity of the two vehicles after collision using conservation of momentum: