PASCO ME-6829 Mini Launcher Ballistic Pendulum - Manual (Page 4)

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M i n i L a u n c h e r B a l l i s ti c P e n d u l u m I n t r o d u c t i o n
4
Introduction
Use the Mini Launcher Ballistic Pendulum in combination with a Mini Launcher and
Rotary Motion Sensor (RMS) to measure the velocity of a steel ball. The Mini
Launcher shoots the ball into the Mini Launcher Ballistic Pendulum. The RMS mea-
sures the resulting angular displacement and velocity of the pendulum. The pendulum
can be configured to catch the ball or allow the ball to bounce off. Two pivot locations
and removable masses allow it to approximate a simple pendulum or a physical pen-
dulum.
This manual includes set-up instructions and experiment instructions ranging from a
simple (Experiment 1) to more advanced (Experiment 3).
Equipment Set-up
Assemble the Apparatus
1. Set up the mini launcher, bracket, table clamp, mounting rod, and RMS as shown
in Figure 1. The exact position of the RMS is not important yet. Note that the side
of the RMS without the model number on the label is facing you. (If the RMS is
mounted the other way, it will measure negative displacement.)
Figure 1: Launcher and RMS mounted on rod
2. Slide the three-step pulley onto the RMS shaft with the largest pulley out as
shown in Figure 2.
R
O
TA
R
Y
MO
TION SENSOR FOR
INTERF
A
CES
ä
Table clamp
Mini
Launcher
Bracket
Mounting
Rod
RMS
Three-step
pulley
Figure 2: Three-step
pulley on RMS