Credit: ©The Royal Society
    Image number: RS.11568

    Ballistic pendulum

    Date
    ca.1742
    Creator
    Benjamin Robins (1707 - 1751, British) , Mathematician
    Object type
    Archive reference number
    Material
    Dimensions
    height (drawing): 302mm
    width (drawing): 185mm
    Subject
    Content object
    Description
    Study of Benjamin Robins’ machine for determining the velocity of bullets. Headed: ‘Experiments relating to The Force of Gunpowder, the Velocity of Musket & Cannon shot, & the resistance of the Air’. Below ‘Fig. 1st.

    Projectiles were aimed from various distances at the square plate which was intended to pivot on an axis – the arc length described by the pendulum allowed Robins to calculate the speed of the bullet.

    Benjamin Robins (1707-1751) British mathematician and military engineer was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1727.
    Associated place
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