1. The angle at which it would be launched
2.The baffles to maximize pressure to shoot the cup
3. A way to decrease back fire (Just in case)
4. The fact that it would be fired off an elevated surface
With these factors in mind, I created a flat cannon in the sense that the cannon has minimal to no angle and will be fired flat against the table. Although all the other groups created an angle of 45 degrees, this angle was best suited for case 4 projectiles; for projectiles that will start and end at the same level/height. Since my cannon will be fired on an elevated surface, it is pointless to fire it at an angle since the cannon will be wasting it's fuel trying to accelerate upwards rather than distance-wise, which is what I will be graded for Figure 1.
For the cannon itself, I used a large can, a medium and then a small one Figure 1. This was so the pressure would build up and then center itself behind the Styrofoam cup so it can be fired out. Also, the baffles are small holes distributed like a pinwheel so the pressure could be distributed even around the can instead of on one side Figure 2.
To decrease backfire and ensure that the cannon will not waste it's energy backfiring, I created a hook out of one of the empty cans and attached it to the cannon. The hook would hang over the edge of the table Figure 3.
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Figure 1. Finished Cannon Big to small cans to center pressure Flattened can to ensure cannon will not move when being fired Can hook to decrease backfire and wasted energy |
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| Figure 3. Cannon Hook Will be hooked onto testing surface to decrease backfire |
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| Figure 2. Baffles |
