Essential Question

*How has science and technology made wars impersonal, especially as it relates to technology? Likewise, what is the human impact of war - both domestically and personally? (Consdier the perspective of a soldier in combat - a civilian in combat - and a civilian at home watching the combat.)

*How did your knowledge of the gas laws govern your design elements in reference to the cannon construction? Specifically, how do/did pressure, volume, and temperature play a role in designing the most efficient cannon?

*Construction of canons acts as the vehicle through which goals and objectives reinforcing analysis, informational writing and critical thinking within each of the Science, Math, Social Studies, English and Technology curriculums is promoted.

Launch Video

Why This Design?

Our group decided to use this desgin for a few different reasons. For starters we made a seperate chamber for the ethanol to be lit. One reason for creating this seperate chamber was to allow pressure to build up, we hoped this would help in projecting the ball further. Another reason for this chamber was to have a higher concentration of gas inside of our cannon. Our group decided to cut the barrel shorter because we believed that a shorther barrel, could also be seen as a shorther volume, would cause more pressure to build up. The reason that our gruop used the second tennis ball can as a base was first bescause we wanted our cannon to have the best stability and second because we wanted to get the angle of the cannon exact. Finally our gruop agreed to use a 40 degree angle because we though that really low angle would force the ball to hit the ground and a larger angle would just make the ball go up in a straight line. Over all we used a 40 degree angle because it was close to the middle.

Materials

To Build the Cannon
1) Two tennis ball cans
2) The two tops of the tennis ball cans
3) 18 inches of tape

To Shoot the Cannon
1) 2mL of ethanol (C2H6O)
2) Can hold the cannon to steady it if needed

Procedure

Step One:Cut off two and a half inches off the bottom of the fist tennis ball can

Step Two:Tape one of the caps to the end of the tennis ball can, the same end which you cut off

Step Three:Tape the end that you cut off in the beginning to the bottom of the tennis ball can where you just taped the cap

Step Four:Place the second cap on to the front of the second can

Step Five:Cut out a hole in the second can, big enough that you will be able to lay the first tennis ball can on top of it.

Step Six:Place the first can on the second can, so that its laying in the hole, and tape it once you have made sure that it is at a 40 degree angle

Velocity

g- the gravitational constant (g= 32.2 ft/sec2)
O- measure the launch angle in degrees
R- the distance your projectile flies in the air
Vo2- the intial velocity

Over all our intial velocity was zero because our cannon did not fire.

Why it Didn't Work

After everyone had shot off their cannons, or should I say tried to shoot off their cannons, no group was successful. Much consideration went into this idea, for my group was able to discover that last year all but two cannons were successful in shooting. Doing research about that day, I was able to find that there was one major aspect which was different between that day and the day our class shot off our cannons. The temperature of the day was a lot warmer because last year the class was able to shoot their cannons off in a concealed area. Based upon some of the gas laws temperature is a variable which can affect the outcome of a chemical reaction. Over all I believe that when I our class rebuilds our cannons in April we will have better results for the weather should be a lot warmer.

"Overture of 1812"

After listening to the music piece "Overture of 1812" I believe that it is a piece which could present different emotions based on the volume that it is listened at. Forinstance if listened to at a very high volume the sense of fighting and people dying all around you can be seen if you close your eyes. However when you listen to it a lower volume the sadness of war comes out. The feelings of death and that inoccent people are dying comes out. I also saw that the different parts of this piece follow the theme of war very well because in the music there are places where it will get real high and loud and then suddenly it will grow slower and lower. This directly follows war becomes one moment you could be thinking that the war is almost over and you had won when suddenly the fighting will begin again and more people will continue to die. Over all I believe the music piece "Overture of 1812" follows the events of war through its tone and its composure.

"The Charge of the Light Brigade" by Tennyson

Before Reading:

In times of crisis, such as a hurricane or a flood, it is important for people to stick together because it is always easire to make it through tough situtations when you have people to pull you along. Going further with this idea I believe it is important for military officers to give their students harsh punishments because they are preparing their students for the crisis of war. Once a solider is put into a crisis they have to be prepared to follow their instincts and ban together with their group in order to stay alive. The consequences if an offical can't keep his troop under control during a time of warfare could be as simple as a few minior injuries or as horrible and tragic of death.

After Reading:

After reading "The Charge of the Light Brigade" by Tennyson I discovered that there were certain aspects that I believe should been seen by all. For example I believe that this poem could be read starting as at a low, slow pitch and leading up to a a more louder pitch as the peom goes on. Also I believe that the words of the poem truely show the actions of war, however I feel that it doesn't do well in explaining the mood and the feelings of the soliders. I believe that the repetition of the same line, "Forward, the Light Brigade!", really helps in the contribute to the mood of the poem. I think that the theme of courage of honor can be seen throughout the poem not trought the words but through the tempo at which I read the poem. For example by reading at the tempo I said earlier, from a low tempo to a higher one, you can see that it takes a lot of courage and honor for someone to get up and risk their lives in order to save their country. In war the theme of leaders and followers can be seen because it is important for someone to take charge during crisis because without a leader a resolution or a way out will never be agreed upon. Finally the them of justice is always seen in war because as this poem suggests war is about fighting for what people truely believe in so mostly it is a fight for justice.

1900-Modern Day Cannons

There are many cannons used in modern day warfare, however one of the more common is the revolver cannon. This type of weapon, part of the auto cannon group, is usually used as an aircraft gun for it has a cylinder with multiple chambers, allowing loading-firing-ejection cycle of the cannon to be speed up. There is only a single barrel in the revolver cannon which lowers the spun weight and leads to gas operation. Inside of this cannon there is a self-contained system which can adjust the gas spring from soft to hard while the cannon s in operation. The revolver cannon was based on the design of the Gatling gun, used during World War Two, when scientist began to think about new aircraft weapons when the war was over. Although many scientists were trying to come up with new ideas it was Mauser who invented this new weapon in the end. The revolver cannon is important to the art of warfare, however there are still many other types of weapons that help to get the job done.

Cannons of the 1800's

The columbiad cannon had a design which allowed it to firs a solid shot and a shell to long distances. Also the design enabled it to fire heavy projectiles at both high and low trajectories. This cannon was enevnted by the United States Army and was used during the War of 1812. A seven inch barrel was used at first but as tiem went on the diameter grew to right inches then up again to ten inches. By the time the diameter reached ten inches the cannon could project a a solid shot over 5,600 yards. The columbias cannon was originally on seacoast carriages, on which it was able to turn from left to right, having a wide range for targets, about a 180 degree range. Later on improvements were made so that the cannon could have a full range of targets, 360 degrees.

Cannons of pre-1700's

During the medieval period cannons weren't used as much as trebuchets. Trebuchets are similar to a catapult for it was designed to throw heavy stones to break castles walls or at large groups of warriors to stop their advancement during the medieval period. Engineers who lived in the medieval period tried various ways to position the sling of this new weapon so that the projectile would have the greatest effect. This new medieval weapon consists of a lever, a sling, a frame (made usually out of wood), and an arm (where the projectile is placed). The frame is usually a triangular shape with the arm placed in the center (see picture). The projectile is placed on the longer end of the arm while a great amount of pressure is added to the smaller end of the arm, catapulting the projectile over a distance. During this time period the trebuchet was able to throw a stone weighing about 200 pounds. The projectile could be anything from a stone to a block of wood to another kind of missile. In the earlier years, in which the trebuchet was used, it was mostly powered by man; however this weapon began to rely on the use of a huge counterweight that swung the long arm, forcing the projectile over a distance. Throughout this time period the trebuchet was a great weapon to use during war, however over time warfare grew away from this type of weapon and grew more to cannons.