"Backyard Ballistics" by William Gurstelle

William Gurstelle has a wonderful book for those of us who love to tinker with cannons and catapults. Chapter Eleven deals with velocity measuement, and Mr. Gurstelle has generously granted me permission to reproduce this chapter on my web site.

"Backyard Ballistics" by William Gurstelle

"Backyard Ballistics" is available from Amazon bookseller on-line and many other booksellers.

Mr. Gurstelle's web site (www.backyard-ballistics.com) has useful information, his blog, and several related books.

Click on these images for a full-size view of the first few pages:
     

Chapter 12: The Ballistic Pendulum

• How fast does it go?
• Building the ballistic pendulum
• Setting up the pendulum
• Determining muzzle velocity
• Physics of pendulums
• Tips and troubleshooting
• Benjamin Robins, inventor of the ballistic pendulum