College Physics with MasteringPhysics 7th Edition by Jerry Wilson,Anthony Buffa,Bo Lou

Exercise 109

In the Revolutionary War, the Americans had an advantage in using long rifles, instead of the smooth bore muskets used by the British. The long rifle had a barrel of 48 in. or more, whereas the musket barrel length was on the order of 30 in. (Fig.). The long rifle had a much greater range than the musket. Explain this greater range in terms of work and impulse. (The rifling grooves in the barrel of a rifle cause the bullet to spin, which gyroscopically improves stability and accuracy. See Section 8.5.).

FIGURE Long rifle See Conceptual Question.