arXiv subjects

Amy Courtney

Publications and source records attributed to Amy Courtney.

42 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2007

Ballistic pressure wave contributions to rapid incapacitation in the Strasbourg goat tests

This article presents empirical models for the relationship between peak ballistic pressure wave magnitude and incapacitation times in the Strasbourg goat test data. Using a model with the expected limiting behavior at large and small pressure wave magnitudes, the average incapacitation times are highly correlated (R = 0.91) with peak pressure wave magnitude. The cumulative incapacitation probability as a function of time reveals both fast (t < 5 s) and slow (t > 5 s) incapacitation mechanisms. The fast incapacitation mechanism can be accurately modeled as a function of peak pressure wave magnitude. The slow incapacitation mechanism is presumably due to blood loss via damaged vascular tissue.

physics.med-ph↗

arXiv2007

Review of criticisms of ballistic pressure wave experiments, the Strasbourg goat tests, and the Marshall and Sanow data

This article reviews published criticisms of several ballistic pressure wave experiments authored by Suneson et al., the Marshall and Sanow "one shot stop" data set, and the Strasbourg goat tests. These published criticisms contain numerous logical and rhetorical fallacies, are generally exaggerated, and fail to convincingly support the overly broad conclusions they contain.

physics.med-ph↗

arXiv2007

The Truth About Ballistic Coefficients

The ballistic coefficient of a bullet describes how it slows in flight due to air resistance. This article presents experimental determinations of ballistic coefficients showing that the majority of bullets tested have their previously published ballistic coefficients exaggerated from 5-25% by the bullet manufacturers. These exaggerated ballistic coefficients lead to inaccurate predictions of long range bullet drop, retained energy and wind drift.

physics.pop-ph↗

arXiv2007

An Acoustic Method for Determining Ballistic Coefficients

This paper presents a method for using a PC soundcard, microphone and a chronograph to determine bullet BC with an accuracy of 6%. This is useful when a second chronograph is unavailable or when the projectile accuracy is insufficient to use a far chronograph.

physics.pop-ph↗

arXiv2006

Acoustic measurement of potato cannon velocity

This article describes measurement of potato cannon velocity with a digitized microphone signal. A microphone is attached to the potato cannon muzzle and a potato is fired at an aluminum target about 10 m away. The potato's flight time can be determined from the acoustic waveform by subtracting the time in the barrel and time for sound to return from the target. The potato velocity is simply the flight distance divided by the flight time.

physics.ed-ph↗

arXiv2006

Five Frequently Fatal Freshman Physics Fantasies

This article describes five common student misconceptions about succeeding in college-level Physics courses: the miracle finish, the soft hearted professor, an extension of high school, weak areas won't be tested, and passing is more important than learning. These fantasies are unique to neither Physics nor freshman, but the challenge of learning Physics brings more certain negative consequences to students retaining these attitudes. Ascribing these student misconceptions to freshmen acknowledges that they diminish with increasing academic maturity.

physics.ed-ph↗