Cannons were used in the past as artillery. It uses gunpowder to launch projectiles and the amount of gunpowder varies according to how much power is required. The angle of the cannon to the surface of the ground also varies because it is measured to the desired angle for firing a certain distance or height. Cannons are similar to guns but obviously at a larger scale in terms of size.
So how does a cannon work?
Cannons are composed of a large barrel with one open end. It works through the pressure at the closed end produced by the gunpowder or explosive. This force of pressure pushes out the projectile out of the open end.
As we already know, the pressure does not necessarily have to come from gunpowder, it can also function through the pressure of air, which is used for tennis balls. Yes, that's right. We use cannons in our daily lives as well, not just in the past for wars.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Calculations for the Lab: Force, Acceleration, and Mass
F a (m/s^2)
1 2.61
2 5.46
3 5.60
m a (m/s^2)
0 2.28
1 3.19
*one of them was eliminated as it was a repeated experiment
1 2.61
2 5.46
3 5.60
m a (m/s^2)
0 2.28
1 3.19
*one of them was eliminated as it was a repeated experiment
Our Tallest Structure
I suppose you could say we were quite surprised that we managed to build the tallest structure, though it was a great feeling of success! However, although it managed to stand up, it was extremely unstable. Dennis' idea of building a big base in a pyramid set up was a good idea, but when it came down to actually rolling up the pieces of newspaper to make our structure, we realized that some of the pieces of newspaper were shorter and thinner while others were larger and thicker. Therefore, the bottom was uneven causing it to be very shaky and not stand properly. Nevertheless, we managed to balance it by shortening our tall thin tube and slowly bringing it up every time we thought our structure could handle the extra height. We even added a tape-flag-thing to add a couple centimeters of height to our strucutre.
Now I think we can all conclude that newspaper and tape aren't exactly the best materials for building structures, even if it's just for an in class task.
Now I think we can all conclude that newspaper and tape aren't exactly the best materials for building structures, even if it's just for an in class task.
Tallest Tower?
According to my research, Burj Khalifa is the tallest man-made tower in the world with a height of 828 m!!!
However, I did not know that till I researched it up. The first thing that came to mind when "tallest tower" was mentioned was the CN Tower.
Although it isn't the tallest structure, the structural concept is somewhat similar. The base is obviously the largest, holding up and supporting the whole weight of the building, while the top is extremely thin and small. As we learned recently, the centre of gravity is what supports the weight. Though in different objects, the centre of gravity varies, in buildings it is probably the centre and at the base of the structure. That's my assumption, but it's an educated guess and an obvious answer, unless of course I'm wrong. In terms of building our tower, I think we should have one realllllllyyyyyy long, but thin tube that will give our structure the height, supported by a large, heavy base... even though it's only newspaper.
However, I did not know that till I researched it up. The first thing that came to mind when "tallest tower" was mentioned was the CN Tower.
Although it isn't the tallest structure, the structural concept is somewhat similar. The base is obviously the largest, holding up and supporting the whole weight of the building, while the top is extremely thin and small. As we learned recently, the centre of gravity is what supports the weight. Though in different objects, the centre of gravity varies, in buildings it is probably the centre and at the base of the structure. That's my assumption, but it's an educated guess and an obvious answer, unless of course I'm wrong. In terms of building our tower, I think we should have one realllllllyyyyyy long, but thin tube that will give our structure the height, supported by a large, heavy base... even though it's only newspaper.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Egg Glider
Our group doesn't have an idea but I guess we'll all come up with our own and bring it together soon. I'm not too familiar with aerodynamics and things like that, but from what I remember, I know that it has to be shaped somewhat like a paper airplane or a kite. I'm guessing that a point at the front (which the both the kite and paper airplane have) is something that will help with the egg glider's ability to glide. Last but not least, I know for a fact that both sides have to be symmetrical in order for it to glide straight.
But from what I've briefly researched on Google, aerodynamics is something designed to minimize the drag as an object moves through gas or liquid.
Now you may ask, "What does drag mean?"
Drag is air resistance or friction, where it slows down the object as it moves through gas or liquid.
So I guess my ideas are like a kite or a plane with the sheet of newspaper as the "wing" or surface area and the straws as supports. Now for the real question, how will the egg be protected while still allowing the glider to glide...? Maybe some sort of cone made out of the straws so that when the cone hits the ground, the force will transfer from the tip of the cone and pass right around the egg to the end of the cone. But I don't have a clue as to how to make that support aerodynamic as well. Maybe there is no way.
But from what I've briefly researched on Google, aerodynamics is something designed to minimize the drag as an object moves through gas or liquid.
Now you may ask, "What does drag mean?"
Drag is air resistance or friction, where it slows down the object as it moves through gas or liquid.
So I guess my ideas are like a kite or a plane with the sheet of newspaper as the "wing" or surface area and the straws as supports. Now for the real question, how will the egg be protected while still allowing the glider to glide...? Maybe some sort of cone made out of the straws so that when the cone hits the ground, the force will transfer from the tip of the cone and pass right around the egg to the end of the cone. But I don't have a clue as to how to make that support aerodynamic as well. Maybe there is no way.
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