Accelerated Cannon Cart - Physics Demonstrations - Accelerated Cannon Cart | Physics Undergraduate Labs

Keep your face and body clear of the cannon's trajectory line during setup and demonstration. The teflon peg can dislodge prematurely if jostled, causing unexpected firing. Always assume the cannon is loaded when the peg is in place.

Purpose

A hanging mass accelerates a cannon cart via a pulley; when the cannon fires, the ball's horizontal velocity is constant while the cart continues accelerating, so the ball lands behind the cart. Pair with the Cannon Cart on Incline (1D60.15) for an apparent paradox: both carts accelerate, but only the incline cart catches the ball.

Cannon cart with spring-loaded cannon at rear of lecture table, mass set with hooks, two bench clamp stands mounting a pulley with white cord, ring clamp anchor at far end, and brass hanging mass below the pulley

Figure 1: The cannon cart (rear) is connected by a cord over the pulley (foreground) to a hanging mass. The cord pull anchors to the ring clamp at the opposite end. When the cord reaches full extension, the teflon peg pops out and fires the cannon.

Lightweight Rope

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Safety Warnings

Warning: Cannon Firing Hazard

Purpose