Cannon in a railway carriage; recoil

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In summary, a cannon is mounted in a railway carriage with a combined mass of 1200 kg. It fires a cannonball with a mass of 1.2 kg at a velocity of 115 m/s, which travels 85 m and becomes embedded in the carriage's end wall. The questions in this problem involve determining the recoil speed of the carriage after the cannon is fired, the velocity of the carriage after the cannonball strikes the far wall, and the net distance the carriage moves as a result of the firing of the cannon. Possible equations to use include the conservation of momentum.
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drunkenrobot
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Homework Statement



A cannon is bolted to the floor of a railway carriage, which is free to move without friction along a straight track. The combined mass of the cannon and carriage is M=1200 kg. The cannon fires a cannonball, of mass m=1.2 kg, horizontally with velocity v=115 m/s. The cannonball travels the length of the carriage, a distance of 85 m, and becomes embedded in the carriage's end wall.

a. What is the recoil speed of the carriage right after the cannon is fired?

b. what is the velocity of the carriage after the cannonball strikes the far wall?

c. what net distance does the carriage move as a result of the firing of the cannon?

Homework Equations



dont know

The Attempt at a Solution



I really don't know how to start this problem.
 
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  • #2
Can you apply conservation of momentum to the system before and after the cannon is fired?
 

Related to Cannon in a railway carriage; recoil

1. How does a cannon recoil in a railway carriage?

When a cannon is fired, it releases a powerful explosion of gas behind the cannonball, propelling it forward. This force also pushes the cannon itself backwards, causing it to recoil. In a railway carriage, this recoil can be controlled by using springs or hydraulic buffers to absorb the shock and prevent damage to the carriage.

2. Why is recoil important to consider in a railway carriage?

Recoil is important to consider in a railway carriage because it can cause damage to the carriage, as well as potentially injure passengers or crew members. It is also important for the stability and accuracy of the cannon, as too much recoil can affect the trajectory of the cannonball.

3. How is recoil calculated for a cannon in a railway carriage?

The recoil force of a cannon in a railway carriage can be calculated using Newton's third law of motion, which states that every action has an equal and opposite reaction. By measuring the mass of the cannonball, the velocity of the cannonball after firing, and the mass of the cannon, we can calculate the recoil force using the formula: Recoil Force = Mass of Cannonball x Velocity of Cannonball / Mass of Cannon.

4. What measures are taken to reduce recoil in a railway carriage?

To reduce recoil in a railway carriage, various measures can be taken such as using recoil-absorbing devices like springs or buffers, adding additional weight to the carriage to counterbalance the recoil force, or using a muzzle brake to redirect the gases and reduce the recoil force.

5. How does the design of a railway carriage affect the recoil of a cannon?

The design of a railway carriage can greatly affect the recoil of a cannon. A well-designed carriage will have a low center of gravity, be sturdy enough to withstand the recoil force, and have a recoil mechanism in place to absorb the shock. The materials used in the construction of the carriage also play a role, as lighter materials may not be able to withstand the force of the recoil.

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