A Potato Gun Model and Study

A reasonably successful spreadsheet model to estimate potato gun performance was developed. To support the model, testing of potato gun performance and the factors which affect that performance were investigated. Tests were run related to pressure rise curves of the propellants, as well as friction of the spud in the gun barrel. The effect of ignition location was investigated, and measurements were made of potato aerodynamic drag. Field tests of the effect of potato gun parameters on spud muzzle exit velocity, flight range, altitude, and hang time were compared with the predictions of the model. As part of the study, some rather fun aspects of potato gun ballistics related to miniature video cameras and related to a transparent gun were conducted.