The ballistic pendulum (Figure a) is a device used to measure the speed of a fas

Question

The ballistic pendulum (Figure a) is a device used to measure the speed of a fast-moving projectile such as a bullet. The bullet is fired into a large block of wood suspended from some light wires. The bullet is stopped by the block, and the entire system swings up to a height h. It is possible to obtain the initial speed of the bullet by measuring h and the two masses. As an example of the technique, assume that the mass of the bullet, m1, is 4.56 g, the mass of the pendulum, m2, is 1.092 kg, and h is 4.80 cm.

Explanation / Answer

B) Such a device uses the Principle of Conservation of energy: Kinetic Energy of Bullet before impacet = Potential energy of Bullet and Pendulum after impact 1/2mv² = (m+M)gh 1/2 x 0.00456 x v² = (0.00456 + 1.092) x 9.8 x 0.0480 v = 15.04m/s is the initial speed of the bullet

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