GUIDE QUESTIONS

1. Suppose the ball with half the mass is used and is projected out of the launcher with the same speed. How does
the increase in height of the system now compared with that when the original ball was used? Defend your answer.

Answer: (Reference System: Pendulum) If the half-weighed ball was used in this same-speed simulation, the
observable height will be much smaller than the observable height when the original ball was used.

Consider this scenario:

m1: 10 grams m 1/2: 5 grams

m2: 15 grams v: 20 m/s

Consider the equation used in the experiment:

(m1 +m2 )
v: 2 gy
m1

Rearranging the given equation in terms of y:

v 2 m12
y:
( m1 +m2) 2(2 g)
Substitutions of the given to equation:

(20)2 (10)2
y: y if the m1 used is the original Answer (y): 3.265306122 m
( 15+10 )2 (29.8)
2
( 20 ) (5)2
y: 2 y if the m1 used is the half-weighed Answer (y): 1.275510204 m
( 15+5 ) (29.8)

(Reference System: Launcher alone with the pendulum; assuming that air-resistance is negligible) If the half-weigh
ball used in this same-speed simulation, the observable height will be much larger than the observable height when
the original ball was used. The force of the ball will be relatively large compared to the force exerted by gravity on the
ball; hence, the height of the half-weighed ball will be much larger.

2. Suppose the launcher is positioned higher above the table top. How does this change affect the computed initial
speed of the ball? Defend your answer.

Answer: There will be no change in the initial speed; In Kinematics, the horizontal component of the velocity remains
constant while the vertical component of the velocity is the only component changing. When the height increases, the
range also increases, making the velocity constant as long as that the x-component range is not that deviated;
3. A 50-gram bullet is fired horizontally into a 5-kilogram block of wood suspended by a long cord. The bullet sticks in
the block. Determine the velocity of the bullet if the inelastic collision causes the block to swing 0.10-meters above its
initial level.

Given:

m1: 50 grams ~ 0.05 kilograms m2: 5 kilograms

dy: 0.10 meters

Unknown: velocity of the bullet

Working Equation:

(m1 +m2 )
v: 2 gy
m1

Substitution:

(0.05+5)
v: 29.80.10
0.05

Answer:

Velocity of the bullet: 141.4 m/s

ANALYSIS

1. Which method (ballistic method or trajectory method) is more accurate in determining the initial speed of the ball?
Defend your answer.

Answer: Ballistic method;

2. In Part 1 of the experiment, is the total momentum of the system conserved? Explain.

Answer:

3. In Part 1 of the experiment, when is the total energy of the system not conserved? When is the total energy of the
system conserved?

Answer:

CONCLUSION

1. What causes the total momentum of the system to change?

Answer:

2. When the total momentum of the system is conserved, is the total energy of the system conserved as well?

Answer:

3. Is the total momentum of the system conserved in all kinds of collisions? Explain.

Answer: