Cannon Firing

• Cannon Construction: [See video]
• Launch Angle Choice: 45 degrees
• Expected Results: [see 'Great Expectations']
• What Would We Do Differently?: We would like to have had a double chamber to minimize volume and increase the pressure. We also would have liked to decrease the size of the launch hole so there would be no places for te gas to escape.
• Distance Shot: 0 feet
• Initial Velocity: 0

Great Expectations

Our group has built a vey sturdy cannon. We are expecting good results. We have minimized the amount of holes and gaps in the main projector to have the least amount of gas released and overall a high pressure build up. We've angled the cannon at approximately 45 degrees so that it shoots its best possible. Problems could be that the main hole where we will put the ball could be too large, thus letting gas escape, but other than that it is very sturdy.

The Pot Au Fer

This is one of the earliest known cannons used in the Hundred Years War. These cannons were experimental and the military did not know if they would work but used them and they were very successful. This particular cannon was built under King Edward III during England's invasion of Scotland. Before the cannons were built, all artillery were launched using catapults and trebuchets, which were all about shock over damage. They came on with the most force in the very last battle of the Hundred Years War, Castillon of Gascony where the French came to battle with more than 300 cannons in use.

Signal Cannon

This cannon was built in the 1800's. It is a "signal" cannon. These were used on ships to signal other ships or even the crew of its host ship. They could signal danger, oncoming ships, or warn ships to stay away. Through out the 16, 17, and 1800's canno designs remained very much the same. It was not until the late 1800's early 1900's that the designs took a turn for the better.

Modern Day Cannon

This cannon is a more modern take on the ancient art of cannon building. These cannons are used by the military [navy]. This particular cannon is located in Wales and fired ceremonially. The only trouble we still have with cannons is the risk of injury when operating, but these risks are much lower today.