Can a heavy piston rob power?

[BTDT]

...too light also robs power, as the piston lacks inertia....

Inertia is a property of a stationary mass, Jon. A moving mass like a piston has momentum, and too light a piston reduces momentum.

[Born Again]

Inertia is a property of a stationary mass, Jon. A moving mass like a piston has momentum, and too light a piston reduces momentum.

Not quite. Splitting hairs, inertia is the tendency of an object to remain in the same state, either stationary or in uniform motion, resisting change.

[BTDT]

Not quite. Splitting hairs, inertia is the tendency of an object to remain in the same state, either stationary or in uniform motion, resisting change.

To really split hairs, inertia is a property of a moving mass only if that movement is uniform, which the piston is not - it's either accelerating or decelerating (apart from an instant before it bounces).

The important point is that it is the reduced momentum of the lighter weight piston that makes it less able to overcome opposition from the compressed air.

[Born Again]

To really split hairs, inertia is a property of a moving mass only if that movement is uniform, which the piston is not - it's either accelerating or decelerating (apart from an instant before it bounces).

The important point is that it is the reduced momentum of the lighter weight piston that makes it less able to overcome opposition from the compressed air.

As momentum is a simple function of mass and velocity, it could be argued that the reduced inertia, and thus higher attained velocity of a lighter piston would give it enough momentum to compress the air.

It would be fascinating to see high speed x-ray film of the whole firing cycle, but until then we have to rely on the painstaking empirical research of you springer experts, for which I'm grateful.

[TonyL]

Inertia is a property of a stationary mass, Jon. A moving mass like a piston has momentum, and too light a piston reduces momentum.

To really split hairs, inertia is a property of a moving mass only if that movement is uniform, which the piston is not - it's either accelerating or decelerating (apart from an instant before it bounces).

The important point is that it is the reduced momentum of the lighter weight piston that makes it less able to overcome opposition from the compressed air.

Great to see you on, Jim.

[Dornfelderliebe]

I would like to experiment with a metal top hat to increase weight but don't how much one would weigh. Any rough Ideas for a 25-26 mm cylinder?

I'll be coy about which gun I'm thinking of.

[look no hands]

I would like to experiment with a metal top hat to increase weight but don't how much one would weigh. Any rough Ideas for a 25-26 mm cylinder?

I'll be coy about which gun I'm thinking of.

Just man up and admit it's a an HW

[Dornfelderliebe]

Just man up and admit it's a an HW

No but now the sun's out I'm going to play with my 35 later

[Shed tuner]

I would like to experiment with a metal top hat to increase weight but don't how much one would weigh. Any rough Ideas for a 25-26 mm cylinder?

I'll be coy about which gun I'm thinking of.

Your meteor needs a piston mass of around 180g all up. Weigh it and add weight to suit

[Dornfelderliebe]

Your meteor needs a piston mass of around 180g all up. Weigh it and add weight to suit

Thank you and un bon point* to John.

* As my French teacher used to say.

[Shed tuner]

Inertia is a property of a stationary mass, Jon. A moving mass like a piston has momentum, and too light a piston reduces momentum.

picky picky.. I've misssed you Jim

Not quite. Splitting hairs, inertia is the tendency of an object to remain in the same state, either stationary or in uniform motion, resisting change.

You are my friend. Not like Jim