- #1
DrPython
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- TL;DR Summary
- I'm trying to build an air cannon to launch a projectile but I need to know the pressure that is needed to launch it a certain distance so then I can buy the appropriate items.
Hello! I'm brand new to the physics forum so please excuse any mistakes I make. I'm not even sure if I'm in the right forum section lol.
My goal is to create a air cannon to launch a piece of dog food (super overkill) and I have pretty much 0 background in anything post-high school physics. I'm still a junior in high school so I've only taken the non-calculus physics class, however I do understand a tiny bit of calculus if that is necessary for an explanation. I would really appreciate any simplification of concepts or explanations if that would be possible.
Anyways, continuing on to the launching apparatus. It would consist of a few main things. An air tank of some sort with a certain pressure, a solenoid release valve to be controlled electronically and a release pipe of some kind. Depending on what kind of pressure is needed I would change the dimensions/material of the pipe, but for now I'm thinking of 2 cm diameter pvc pipe. All the connections between components would use flexible rubber tubing that is rated for around 2.5Mpa. The dimensions of the dog treat are about 1.5 by 1.8 by 0.6 cm. I don't have the mass of the treat since I don't have a precise scale so feel free to use any number. I don't have many specifics on the materials since I'm trying to figure out what my project requires so I can save some money.
My main goal is to calculate how much I need to pressurize the system in order to shoot a treat about 150 feet max from it's starting position. I've done some research already but I'm still feeling very lost. Any help would be welcome.
https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/velocity-of-air-coming-out-of-a-nozzle.694656/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_flow_rate
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Choked_flow
https://www.engineersedge.com/wwwboard/posts/15354.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pressure#Formula
Once I figure out the force on the treat I assume this just becomes a normal projectile problem; however, I don't know how to account for air drag if it's going really fast. If someone could point me in the direction of how to account for drag that would be great.
Thanks in advance!
My goal is to create a air cannon to launch a piece of dog food (super overkill) and I have pretty much 0 background in anything post-high school physics. I'm still a junior in high school so I've only taken the non-calculus physics class, however I do understand a tiny bit of calculus if that is necessary for an explanation. I would really appreciate any simplification of concepts or explanations if that would be possible.
Anyways, continuing on to the launching apparatus. It would consist of a few main things. An air tank of some sort with a certain pressure, a solenoid release valve to be controlled electronically and a release pipe of some kind. Depending on what kind of pressure is needed I would change the dimensions/material of the pipe, but for now I'm thinking of 2 cm diameter pvc pipe. All the connections between components would use flexible rubber tubing that is rated for around 2.5Mpa. The dimensions of the dog treat are about 1.5 by 1.8 by 0.6 cm. I don't have the mass of the treat since I don't have a precise scale so feel free to use any number. I don't have many specifics on the materials since I'm trying to figure out what my project requires so I can save some money.
My main goal is to calculate how much I need to pressurize the system in order to shoot a treat about 150 feet max from it's starting position. I've done some research already but I'm still feeling very lost. Any help would be welcome.
https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/velocity-of-air-coming-out-of-a-nozzle.694656/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_flow_rate
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Choked_flow
https://www.engineersedge.com/wwwboard/posts/15354.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pressure#Formula
Once I figure out the force on the treat I assume this just becomes a normal projectile problem; however, I don't know how to account for air drag if it's going really fast. If someone could point me in the direction of how to account for drag that would be great.
Thanks in advance!