Ballistic Pendulum (To Measure Speed of NERF Dart)

thingiverse

This is a precision-crafted ballistic pendulum, engineered from high-quality 3D printed parts, sturdy 1/4" wooden dowels, and durable string. Its primary function is to accurately measure the speed of NERF darts and other low-speed projectiles with pinpoint accuracy. To utilize this ingenious device: Fire a dart at the pendulum with precision aim. Measure the impressive height it swings with ease. Utilize the calculated gravitational potential energy from "mgh" to determine the kinetic energy of the dart, "KE," which is 0.5mv^2. Solve for v to obtain the speed with mathematical certainty. Test results are available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/BXyvUQC2mLQ Designing this innovative project: Connectors were skillfully designed in TinkerCAD with precision and care. The bolt and threaded hole were crafted using mike_linus' "NUT JOB" customizer, a testament to ingenuity. The rest of the design was meticulously created using 123D design from AutoDesk. Project Details: Ballistic Pendulum (To Measure Speed of NERF Dart) Project Name: Ballistic Pendulum (To Measure Speed of NERF Dart) Overview & Background: Students will learn to harness physics and math, as well as optional engineering skills, to measure the speed of a NERF dart with precision. Objective: By completing this project, students will master kinetic energy and potential energy calculations. They will also acquire essential skills in calculating mean, median, mode, and standard deviation. Optional engineering and design exercises are available for added challenge. Audiences: This project is suitable for anyone learning physics, math, or engineering with enthusiasm. It's also an engaging way to introduce kids to STEM education. Anyone who enjoys NERF guns will appreciate the thrill of this project. Skills Learned / Standards: * Setting up and conducting experiments with precision. * Calculating statistics with ease. * Basic engineering and design skills. Lesson / Activity: After assembling the ballistic pendulum, students will devise a method to measure the height of the swinging coin box. Then they will fire a dart at it with accuracy. Once they obtain the height, they can calculate the velocity of the dart with mathematical certainty. The coin box can be loaded with coins to increase its weight if it swings too high when empty. Alternatively, removing the lid and bolt or using cardboard or Velcro can make the darts stick to the box for easier measurement. See handouts for more detailed information. Duration: Approximately one hour or less is required to complete this project. Preparation: Students should possess basic math skills and a fundamental understanding of physics. They will also need a dart gun, darts, and a way to measure the height of the swinging coin box (ruler, graph paper, marker, smartphone, etc.). A calculator or smartphone calculator app is necessary for mathematical calculations. References: * https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballistic_pendulum * https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standard_deviation Rubric & Assessment: By project completion, students should have assembled a precision-crafted ballistic pendulum. They should have taken ten accurate height measurements and calculated ten velocities with ease. They should also have completed the calculations handouts, which includes calculating the mean, median, mode, and standard deviation. Critical thinking about the experiment is essential. Handouts: * Handout 1: Instructions * Handout 2: Discussion * Handout 3: Calculations