During the entire firing sequence for the ballistic pendulum experiment there are four distinct states that the system progresses through: (1) spring compressed and all components stationary; (2) spring fired, ball traveling at v1, pendulum stationary; (3) ball and pendulum traveling together at v2 just after collision, (4) ball and pendulum stationary at some height Δh.
So there are 3 transitions between these 4 states when energy and momentum might be conserved. Below, indicate for each transition whether energy or momentum is conserved, and briefly write your reasoning for your determination.
