Determining the Muzzle Speed of a Tennis Ball Launched from a Homemade Cannon

How can we calculate the muzzle speed of a tennis ball launched from a homemade cannon?

Given a 46-gram tennis ball launched from a 1.35-kg homemade cannon with a recoil speed of 2.1 m/s.

Calculation of Muzzle Speed

When a cannon is fired, the recoil force is equal in magnitude but opposite in direction to the force exerted on the cannonball. The formula for finding the muzzle velocity is m1v1 = m2v2 + m1v1', where m1 = mass of the ball, m2 = mass of the cannon, v1 = velocity of the ball, v2 = velocity of the cannon, and v1' = velocity of the ball relative to the cannon.

Explanation of Calculation

Given values: m1 = 46 g = 0.046 kg, m2 = 1.35 kg, v2 = 2.1 m/s, v1' = unknown.

To find: v1 (muzzle velocity of the ball).

Rearrange the formula to solve for v1:

v1 = (m2v2 + m1v1') / m1.

Substitute the values:

v1 = (1.35 kg × 2.1 m/s + 0.046 kg × v1') / 0.046 kg.

Solve for v1' by multiplying both sides by 0.046 kg and rearranging:

v1' = (0.046 kg × v1 - 1.35 kg × 2.1 m/s) / 0.046 kg.

Substitute v1 = v1' + v2 and simplify:

v1' = (0.046 kg × (v1' + 2.1 m/s) - 1.35 kg × 2.1 m/s) / 0.046 kg.

Therefore, the muzzle speed of the tennis ball is approximately 112.3 m/s.

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