External ballistics howitzer projectile

Forensic Ballistics

Forensic ballistics is the application of ballistics for forensic purposes. The basis is formed by wound ballistics. Two main mechanisms of injury are differentiated: the crush-mechanism resulting in the permanent cavity and the stretch-mechanism resulting in the temporary cavity. The missile-tissue interactions such as yawing, deformation, fragmentation, and bone contact are explained here and...

Projectile Motion

The steel ball will be launched horizontally by being released at a certain height on the ramp. It will then fall to the floor and make a mark on the landing paper. The horizontal distance from take-off to landing, x, is proportional to the initial horizontal velocity, v0, of the ball. The distance, x, can be measured with the meter stick. By using the SALT®, photogate and computer, the time ca...

Projectile Motion

Introduction: A projectile is a body in free fall that is subject only to the forces of gravity (9.81ms⎯2) and air resistance. An object must be dropped from a height, thrown vertically upwards or thrown at an angle to be considered a projectile. The path followed by a projectile is known as a trajectory. If gravity were not present, a projectile would travel in a constant straight line. Howeve...

Ballistics: A Study of the Expert Witness

Internal ballistics of a pneumatic potato cannon

Basic laws of thermodynamics and mechanics are used to analyse an air gun. Such devices are often employed in outdoor physics demonstrations to launch potatoes using compressed gas that is here assumed to expand reversibly and adiabatically. Reasonable agreement is found with reported muzzle speeds for such homebuilt cannons. The treatment is accessible to undergraduate students who have taken ...