Musket vs. rifle (work and impulse)

[achirachelle]

Homework Statement

In the revolutionary war, the Americans had an advantage in using long rifles, instead of the smooth bore muskets used by the British. The long rifle had a barrel of 48in or more, whereas the musket barrel length was on the order of 30in. Explain the greater range of the long rifle in terms of work and impulse.

Homework Equations

W=Fd
I=F_aveΔt=Δp

The Attempt at a Solution

in terms of impulse, is it because of the longer contact time between the bullet and the barrel of the rifle? assuming that the force for both musket and rifle are the same, and the contact time for the rifle is less than the contact time for the musket, then obviously, the rifle will have the bigger impulse. and since the impulse is the change in momentum, then the rifle will have a bigger momentum, which gives it the greater range than the musket.

in terms of work, does it mean that the rifle exerts a greater force than the musket?

 

[AvroArrow]

since the work done is equal to force multiplied by distance, then the rifle will have a greater range than the musket.