ballistic pendulum

noun

, Physics.

1. a device consisting of a large mass hung from a horizontal bar by two rods, used to measure the velocity of an object, as a bullet, by retaining the object upon impact, its velocity being a function of the displacement of the mass.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ballistic pendulum¹

First recorded in 1770–80

Example Sentences

This cannon (Fig. 2) is similar to that used in the ballistic pendulum.

From Project Gutenberg

This cannon is a duplicate of the one used for the ballistic pendulum, details of which have already been given.

From Project Gutenberg

One was the determination of the288 velocity of a bullet fired from a rifle into a Robins ballistic pendulum.

From Project Gutenberg