Hypothesis

If we create a chamber where the temperature of the fire can increase with out increasing the pressure to a point where it will blow off the nerf, then the increase in temperature will increase the pressure and blow the nerf ball the farthest.

The Relationship between P, V and T

The relationship between gas volume (V), pressure (P), and temperature (T) can be expressed by the ideal gas law:

(P x V) / T = constant

Where P = pressure of gas, V = volume occupied, and T = temperature.

In simpler terms, if volume is constant, an increase in temperature results in a proportional increase in pressure. If pressure is constant, an increase in temperature results in a proportional increase in volume. Inversely, if volume is decreased and pressure remains constant, temperature must decrease. Basically, pressure and volume are directly proportional to temperature and inversely proportional to each other.

http://solospirit.wustl.edu/solospirit2/education/Science%20Side/pvt.html

History of Cannons

Cannon are large tubular firearms that use gunpowder to fire a heavy projectile over a long distance. They were first used in China, and were the archetypical form of artillery. They eventually came to dominate warfare creating the first gunpowder empires.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_cannon

Materials

1. 2 tennis ball cans with tops

2. 12 inch stripe of duct tape

3. pair of scissors

4. 1 pipette of ethanol