PASCO ME-6814 Mini Catcher Accessory - Manual (Page 11)

012-06293A Mini Catcher Accessory
7
become taut just before the catcher reaches its maximum height. This reduces the effect of
friction on the thread.
➁
Anchor the string on the Mini Catcher base with a piece of tape and measure the perpendicular
distance from the bottom of the Mini Catcher to the table.
➂
Fire the ball into the pendulum five times. After each trial, pull the pendulum back until the
thread is taut and measure the height above the level of the muzzle to which the pendulum
swung. Record in Table 1.3.
Analysis
➀ Calculate the average of the heights in Table 1.3 and record the result in Table 1.4. Using the
average height, calculate the velocity immediately after the collision and record it in Table 1.4.
➁ Using the velocity calculated in the previous step and the masses, calculate the muzzle velocity
of the ball and record in Table 1.4.
➂ Calculate the percent difference between the muzzle velocities found in Parts I and II. Record in
Table 1.4.
Questions:
➀ What percentage of the kinetic energy is lost in the collision? Use the masses and velocities to
calculate this percentage:
➁ Where did the kinetic energy go?
% Lost =
KE
before
- KE
after
KE
before
x 100%
Table 1.3 Ballistic
Pendulum Data
Mass of Ball = _____________.
Mass of Catcher = __________.
Height
Table 1.4 Results
Average Height
v
0
, Method 1 (Part I)
v
0
, Method 2 (Part II)
v (ball + catcher)
KE before collision
KE after collision
% difference in KE