Vacuum cannon · Estonian PhO 2014 #2

Physics · mechanics

Problem

Pictured below is a so-called vacuum cannon. To load it, a ball meant for ammunition is put into the left end of the vacuum cannon. Next, both ends of the tube are covered with an easily rupturing airproof membrane, for example foil, and then the air is pumped out of the tube. The vacuum cannon is now ready for firing. For firing, the membrane on the left is intentionally ruptured. As a result the ball starts to charge towards the right end of the tube. If the tube is long enough the ball ruptures the membrane on the right end and is fired out of the tube. Let us say that the diameter of the ball is equal to the inner diameter of the tube d=\SI4,0cmd=\SI{4,0}{cm}, the ball’s mass is m=\SI24gm=\SI{24}{g} and before the firing the ball is positioned at a distance l=\SI150cml=\SI{150}{cm} from the right end of the tube. What is the speed of the ball directly before rupturing the membrane on the right? Air pressure is P0=\SI100kPaP_0=\SI{100}{kPa}. Do not account for friction. [image — see PDF]

Browse the problem library