English Component

In A Long Way Gone, the soldiers usually used AK47s, G3s and RPGs. These weapons had a devastating impact, as they were used to kill thousands of innocent people. It is only ethical to use these weapons against someone who poses a threat to your people, not just to kill anyone. That does not only apply to these weapons, but weapons in general.

Works Cited:
Wikipedia. Trebuchet. n.p. last updated on February 3rd 2011.

Wikipedia. Fire Lance. n.p. last updated on January 4 2011.

Civil War Artillery. The Dictator. Jack W. Melton and Laurence E. Pawl.

Wikipedia. Howitzer. n.p. last updated on January 9th 2011

Wikipedia. M1 Abrams. n.p. last updated on February 4th 2011

Wikipedia. Minigun. n.p. last updated on January 29th 2011

Math Component

Question: A cannonball is shot upward from the upper deck of a fort with an initial velocity of 192 feet per second.  The deck is 32 feet above the ground. 
Initial velocity equation: (speed (ft/sec))cos(launch angle)
h = -16t²+v₀t+h₀

h= -16t²+192t+32

Question 1: How high does the cannonball go? 608 feet
Question 2: How long is the cannonball in the air? 12.16 seconds


To solve put the equation in your calculator and find look for the highest number in your table.
Then use quadratic formula to find the x intercept.

Design of my Groups Cannon

Materials: Two tennis ball cans, scissors, protractor, duct tape.


Step 1: Cut one of the cans in half with the scissors.
Step 2: We then took the cap from one of the tennis ball cans and cut a small hole in it.
 
Step 3: We attached the two halves of the bottle together with duct tape, putting the cap in between.

Step 4: We then took the metal ring from the bottle and cut it in half.

Step 5: We took the other can and cut its cap in half.
Step 6: We made two small holes in the first can and put the two small rings in it, and used the other half cap as support for the cannon.


Thanks to Brad Caison for the pictures.

My other group members blogs:
http://bcaisoncannonibec5.blogspot.com/
http://sthomascannonibech5.blogspot.com/
http://apearsoncannonibec5.blogspot.com/

The Minigun

The minigun is a 7.62mm multi barrel heavy machine gun. Its rate of fire is 2,000 to 6,000 rounds per minute. The minigun first appeared in the Vietnam War as a turret, or mounted on a helicopter, such as the AH-1 Cobra.

There have been many modifications to the original design of the minigun. Miniguns are still used today in combat, mostly by the US Military
Ammunition: 7.62x51mm NATO
Manufacturer: United States and many other countries
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minigun

The M1 Abrams

The M1 Abrams is the main battle tank of the U.S. Military. The Abrams was built to replace the M60 tank. The Abrams was put into service in 1980, but was not used in combat until the gulf war in 1991. The abrams has a top speed of 45 mph on road and 33 mph off road. A total of about 9,000 Abrams have been built costing about $4.3 million each. The tanks 105mm cannon could shoot explosive shells up to 2500 meters. Most Abrams also have an M240 machine gun as a secondary weapon.
Manufacturer: United States, Egypt and many other countires.
Ammunition: Explosive shells, and machine gun rounds.

Economic Impact:
The M1 has been criticized for its lof fuel efficiency thus causing it to cost a lot of money to use.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M1_abrams

The Howitzer

The first howitzers appeared during the 19th century. The Howitzer was an artillery piece with a small barrel. Small propellant charges launch the projectile to relatively high trajectories with a steep angle of descent.


Manufaturers: Multiple Countries
Ammunition: Explosive shell
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howitzer

The Dictator

The Dictator was a 13 inch mortar that was used during the civil war. The Dictatror weighed 17,000 pounds, and had to be carried by a reinforced railroad car. The Dictator could launch a 200 pound shell 2.5 miles.

Manufacturer: United States

Ammunition: Explosive Shells

Sources: http://www.civilwarartillery.com/