Shan Macdonald, Curatorial assistant for Scientific Instruments selected this object from the Hunterian Museum's collection. Shan writes - This wooden frame was used in teaching at Glasgow University's Department of Natural Philosophy (the subject now called Physics) to determine the momentum, kinetic energy, and velocity of a bullet in flight by using a known mass over a set distance.
The apparatus was invented in 1742 by the English mathematician Benjamin Robins. William Thomson (Lord Kelvin) regularly demonstrated the apparatus using his Jacob militia rifle resting on the pendulum guard. His rifle, still in its case with embossed brass powder horn, is also in the collection of the Hunterian Museum.
The guard of this particular ballistic pendulum is slightly damaged due to inaccurate shooting over successive teaching generations.
Robins' demonstration ballistic pendulum
Contributed by The Hunterian
Most of the content on A History of the World is created by the contributors, who are the museums and members of the public. The views expressed are theirs and unless specifically stated are not those of the 91Èȱ¬ or the British Museum. The 91Èȱ¬ is not responsible for the content of any external sites referenced. In the event that you consider anything on this page to be in breach of the site’s House Rules please Flag This Object.
About this object
Click a button to explore other objects in the timeline
- Location
- Culture
- Period
-
1780-1830
- Theme
- Size
-
- H:
- 82cm
- W:
- 220cm
- D:
- 66cm
- Colour
- Material
View more objects from people in Glasgow and West of Scotland.
Find out more
Podcast
Highlights from the collection
91Èȱ¬ iD
91Èȱ¬ navigation
91Èȱ¬ links
91Èȱ¬ © 2014 The 91Èȱ¬ is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.
This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.
Share this link: