Ballistic Cart

Meg Chen

University of British Columbia

PHYS 420C (2024)

Overview	Materials	Design + Construction
Videos	Lesson Resources	Contact Me

Design + Construction

The complete design of the ballistic cart can be accessed from this Onshape Design Link.

How to Set Up the Demonstration

Cart

Train

Track

Weight

In this page I will explain how to set up each part of the demonstration.

How to set up the cart

1) Add the ball into the cannon. (For light ball, add after setting up the piston to prevent deforming the ball)

Note: Add the heavy ball in first as putting it in after may cause the rod to release from the metal plate.

2) Push the piston down until the rod is stuck to the metal plate, like shown below.

Note: You might need to manually lock the rod by pushing it after the piston is pushed down.

3) Carefully put the cart back onto the track so that it doesn't trigger during the process.

4) You're ready to go! :)

Part A: Stationary

1) Set up the cart with the heavy ball.

2) Use a stick to hit the extruding part of the rod connected to the piston so that it is no longer stuck to the metal plate. (I used a small-sized wrench)

Note: You must hit towards the direction away from the metal plate for it to work.

Note: use the other hand to hold the cart so that it is stationary throughout the process.

3) Complete! The ball should go up and right back into the cart.

Part B: Constant Velocity

1) Set up the cart with the heavy ball.

2) Connect the train to the cart.

3) Put the screw into one of the holes on the track.

Note: Put it further from the cart so that the train has time to reach constant velocity after being started

4) Turn on the switch on the train and watch the process happen.

5) Complete! The ball should go up and right back into the cart.

Part C: Dragged by a Weight

1) Move the track so that the end with the blocker aligns with the edge of the surface.

2) Set up the cart with the heavy ball.

3) Put the string from the weight through the middle hole on the blocker and then put it on the hook of the cart.

4) Put the screw into one of the holes on the track.

Note: Put it further from the cart so that the train has time to accelerate more after being started

5) Drop the blocker on the floor and watch the process take place

6) Complete! The ball should go up and fall behind the cart.

Part D: Constant Velocity + Lighter Ball

1) Set up the cart with the light ball.

2) Connect the train to the cart.

3) Put the screw into one of the holes on the track.

Note: Put it further from the cart so that the train has time to reach constant velocity after being started

4) Turn on the switch on the train and watch the process happen.

5) Complete! The ball should go up and ball behind the cart.