Overview
Firework mortars work by firing a shell into the sky before having it explode in a shower of lights for everyone to enjoy. Due to the large explosions, they tend to be launched out over a lake or other body of water. For safety, the launch tubes are placed as close to the ground as they can manage.
A mortar works by containing a small initial explosion that accelerates a 250-gram shell from rest to a speed of 325 m/s in 0.1 seconds. In order to get height and forward motion, the launch tubes are set at a 60-degree angle.
- How much force does the projectile experience before leaving the tube?
- What is the mortar's max height?
- In order to get the firework to explode at the peak of its path, how long does the fuse need to burn?
- The debris from the explosion is on average 20% of the firework's initial mass. If we assume that the debris lands as a single mass and the water applies a 2-newton force upwards, how long does it take for the water to stop the debris?
- How far away does the debris strike the water?