Using the ballistic pendulum to predict the maximum range

Let's repeat the earlier experiment, but with two small variations.

• use the "long-range" setting of the gun, which will cause a higher initial velocity
• for the shot off the table, change the gun's elevation angle from zero degrees (horizontal) to 45 degrees

In theory, an elevation of 45 degrees ought to yield the maximum range of the device. In real life, air resistance complicates things, but let's see how close theory is to experiment.

Here's what we need to do:

1. fire the gun at "long-range" setting and measure the maximum angle θ of the pendulum's arm
2. compute the muzzle velocity v₁ of the gun on this setting
3. measure the vertical distance h₁ + h₂ of the muzzle above the floor
4. predict the distance x₁ + x₂ that the ball will travel before striking the floor

The instructor will make these measurements in class and write down the values of θ, h₁, h₂, and x₁. Your job is to predict the distance x₂.

Make a copy of the spreadsheet below.

• Spreadsheet for results of the "long shot" experiment

Perform your calculations, enter your results, and submit the spreadsheet into the myCourses Assignment page.

Copyright © Michael Richmond. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.