Ballistic Pendulum
Definition
A ballistic pendulum is a device used to measure the speed of a projectile by capturing it in a pendulum and measuring the height it reaches.
Analogy
Imagine playing catch with a friend who is standing on a swing. When you throw the ball towards your friend, they catch it and start swinging higher. The height they reach can tell you how fast you threw the ball.
Related terms
Projectile motion: The curved path an object takes when thrown or launched into the air.
Elastic collision: A collision where kinetic energy is conserved, meaning no energy is lost during the collision.
Inelastic collision: A collision where kinetic energy is not conserved, meaning some energy is lost during the collision.
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