- #1
bunchie
- 8
- 0
Hi,
I am trying to figure out why I think that if a cannon fires a heavy projectile, the cannon's recoil is greater than for a cannon that doesn't fire any projectile at all.
Is this correct? Will the cannon firing a heavy projectile have a greater recoil than the empty, firing cannon? It seems that the pressure from the gases would be the same for both cannons, so both will be pushed back the same way.
Also, when a rocket takes off, don't the exploding gases somehow "push back" against the launching pad to accelerate the rocket? Why do I think that the rocket taking off is like a person on rolling skates pushing against a wall to start moving? Say the person was holding a powerful fan. Wouldn't they go faster if they initially directed the fan's jet against a wall rather than just air?
Please help me clarify my thought process. I've searched through other threads and haven't been able to find answers.
Thanks.
I am trying to figure out why I think that if a cannon fires a heavy projectile, the cannon's recoil is greater than for a cannon that doesn't fire any projectile at all.
Is this correct? Will the cannon firing a heavy projectile have a greater recoil than the empty, firing cannon? It seems that the pressure from the gases would be the same for both cannons, so both will be pushed back the same way.
Also, when a rocket takes off, don't the exploding gases somehow "push back" against the launching pad to accelerate the rocket? Why do I think that the rocket taking off is like a person on rolling skates pushing against a wall to start moving? Say the person was holding a powerful fan. Wouldn't they go faster if they initially directed the fan's jet against a wall rather than just air?
Please help me clarify my thought process. I've searched through other threads and haven't been able to find answers.
Thanks.