6. Has the recoil any effect upon the flight of the projectile?
No appreciable effect, the shot being expelled from the gun before it has recoiled a fraction of an inch.
7. What are the principal inconveniences arising from the recoil of guns?
The necessity of running up the gun after every discharge, and consequent fatigue to the men and loss of time; it also necessitates that a greater breadth should be given to the terreplein of a work.
8. What causes the muzzle of a piece of artillery to dip when fired?
The sudden pressure of the gas acting upon the portion of the first reinforce opposite to the vent, causes the piece to strike downwards upon the elevating screw or quoin, and the reaction to make the muzzle dip.
9. What influence has the position of the axis of the trunnions in respect to that of the bore upon the recoil?
If the axis of the trunnions be below that of the piece, the pressure of the breech upon the carriage will increase as the distance between the axes increases; and from this pressure there will arise a friction upon the ground which will diminish the recoil. On the contrary, if the axis of the trunnions, be above that of the piece, the breech will have an upward tendency, the recoil will be increased, but the carriage, and particularly the axle-tree, will be subjected to less strain. Hence, the recoil will be transmitted directly to the trunnions, if their axis (as in our service) be situated in the same plane with the axis of the piece. The size of the trunnions is made proportional to the force of the recoil.
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10. Does the position of the trunnions with reference to the centre of gravity of the piece influence the recoil?