Physics of a Spudgun :: physics potato gun cannon

Well it's quite simple actually. Spudguns use some of the same principles as internal combustion engines. Just as burning gas forces a piston out of a cylinder it can also force out a potato. A spudgun is a device that uses some form of propellant to project a potato across the sky. Usually these devices are made of ABS plastic sewer pipe. There are several major parts of the spud gun that these pages will refer to. These parts are the firing chamber, the igniter, and the barrel. The ignition device of a spud gun is simply put the spark generator that causes the combustion of the fuel in the firing chamber. This device is usually a charcoal grill lighter. The button on the sparker is depressed and a spark arcs across a wire lead and a ground wire. The grill sparker is installed in to the back of the firing chamber by means of threading, epoxy, and bolts. This sparker becomes a projectile if it is not well seated in the end cap of the firing chamber. It must be held firmly in place withstanding any pressure produced by the fuels being burned in the chamber. This type or igniter will work in most conditions including when it becomes wet with fuel. Other igniters exist but are not recommended as highly as the charcoal grill sparker. The Colmen lantern spin lighter which use a flint and striker can become gummed up with some fuels and is not recommended for use in spud guns which will use hairspray as a primary fuel. This lighter must have new flints installed when they run out. This type of lighter also will fail to function when wet with fuel. The flame style barbecue lighter is a click lighter that produces a small-sustained flame. This lighter rarely misfires but is very hard to install given the high pressures it would be subjected to. Also the fuel in the lighter it self must be refilled. Some Spud Guns use a spark plug and battery setup that involves more work as well as more components. The benefits of this style of ignition system is that you have the ability to remote detonate the fuel from a safe distance. By far the push button charcoal grill sparker is the recommended igniter. It is cheap, effective, relatively easy to install and long lasting.

Levis Strauss Case Study Analysis

Introduction Companies use various strategy models to analyse their current status and formulate strategies for future directions they ought to take (Johnson et al., 2014). With the high level of dynamism than characterises the present-day business environment, companies need to be aware of their internal capabilities, and use them to deal with the external threats and opportunities. Among the models that can aid in this Porter’s generic strategies, the PESTEL and SWOT frameworks and Porter’s five forces (Zott, Amit and Massa, 2011). This paper presents an analysis of a case study about Levis Strauss three Porter’s generic strategies, and further determines the company’s strategic position using SWOT analysis. Models2.1. Porters’ Generic strategies (From the case study) Narrow Market ScopeSegmentation strategy 1.Older disaffected shoppers – â€Å"fans who love us but quite frankly left us† 2.The lost generation – â€Å"fans who don’t really know who we are† Broad Market ScopeDifferentiation strategy 1. Classic pieces of clothing such as button fly and trucker jacket that are the seam for the giant business of denim 2. Return the brand to its roots while moving forward 3. Innovation- Levi Strauss is using high-tech by involving a team of 30 people on its Eureka lab to work on 30 prototypes a week. The company encourages the conversion of ideas into design in less than 24 hoursCost leadership 1. Reduction of inflated cost structure by the new Levi CEO 2. Progressive growth in sales volumes for successive years. Uniqueness CompetencyLow Cost Competency2.2. SWOT Analysis (From the case study) Strengths 1. Popular and strong brand name 2. Expertise and experience in the denim Industry 3. Focus on things other than profits- captioned ‘profits through principles’ for examples, donations and scholarships 4. Levi Strauss company has a visionary CEO in Chip Bergh Weaknesses 1. The company focuses too much on brand protection 2. Limited business growth due to increase in competition from other denim companies 3. Complacency in coming up with innovative designs for customers 4. Delays in trends such as colored jeans for women and more tailored jeans for men 5. With 16200 employees, the company incurs high expenses in paying wages. Opportunities 1. The casual wear market is growing fast 2. Internationalisation into emerging markets characterised by low cost manufacturing and production 3. High tech re-invention that is the use of technology to create a tech-advanced women’s denim that fit depending on body shape.Threats 1. Fast changing consumer tastes 2. Increasing Competition from low end substitutes such as Lee and Wrangler hence lower market share 4. Very close competition for market share with rivals targeting the same high-end customer base Discussion3.1. Porter Generic strategiesMichael Porter suggests 3 broad generic strategies that can be used by a company to outperform its competitors (Porter, 2008). These are segmentation, differentiation and cost leadership strategies. From the analysis of Levi Strauss’ case, the strategies from Porter’s generic model are clearly exhibited. Cost leadership, according to the model, refers to a strategy where a company sets its prices below that of its rivals and is independent of the market structure. From the analysis, this strategy was implemented on entry of Chip Bergh; the company’s new CEO cut the cost and pricing structure that was previously inflated as it targeted high-end customers. The adopted prices might not be lowest in the industry, but is close to that of the company’s key rivals, which also makes Levi products to attract new price-sensitive customers and those that were lost to other cheaper brands. The differentiation strategy is also e vident at Levi Strauss. Companies use different approaches to differentiate themselves from their competitors. These include creation of unique designs, adoption of new technologies and making changes their brand images (Zott, Amit and Massa, 2011). Levis has used all these strategies to achieve uniqueness in the denim industry. The company capitalises on the specific designs that will attract consumers and win their loyalty, including those that had shifted to other less costly brands. In regard to the segmentation strategy, the company strives to meet the needs and specification of a given target market for instance; type of product, location of sales or the category of customers it targets. In relation to Levis, the customer segments it targets are the ‘older disaffected’ shoppers who genuinely left the company for alternatives that suited them better and the ‘lost generation’ customers, who know nothing about it. By defining its customer segments, the company is able to design products and services that are tailored towards matching the needs and preferences of these groups. as argued by Porter (2008), a company that fails to develop any strategy in regards to the three broad categories defined by Porter is considered as being ‘stuck in the middle’ because it will have no competitive advantage in the market.3.2. SWOT AnalysisSWOT analysis is a strategic tool that is used to subjectively assess information about a company or organisation outlining its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (Ommani, 2011). Whilst strengths and weaknesses are internal elements of an organisation, opportunities and threats are external elements that the company has no control of. From the analysis present in section 2.2, Levi Strauss draws one of its strengths from the fact that it has a big brand name in the denim industry with a lot of expertise and experience drawn from the fact that it is the oldest denim company. In addition to this, the company known to focus more on things related to the smooth flow of business than only on profits and it has a fast growth of retail shops. These strengths have enabled the company to survive the competition it has faced from companies like Zara and H&M. The major weakness that was noted about Levi Strauss is the complacency of the company’s design team in coming up with unique products. Such weaknesses make the company prone to competition from rivals that are committed towards providing the best designs and are flexible enough to match the changing market trends. As stated by the company’s CEO in the case, â€Å"At Levi, designers sit in the company’s archives and look at old Western shirts and jeans†¦We have one of the greatest brands in the world, but I think that there may have been periods where we thought the brand itself could carry us through thick and thin, there is no question that we got complacent†. The opportunities that have been identified in the SWOT analysis above give the company a prospect for better performance in future, especially if it puts its strengths to beneficial use. These opportunities include the increase in market demand for casual wear, opportunities to expand operations into new markets, and the technological developments taking place in the fashion industry, which can greatly increase production and marketing efficiency of the company. In regard to the probable increase in demand of casual apparel, the company needs to device strategies that will motivate its employees avoid complacency and embark on designing competitive products. Failure to do so will make the company to lose these potential clients to rivals because these opportunities are for all companies in this industry (Grant, 2013). The main threat, as highlighted in the case study, is the rivalry that exists in the industry. This has to be overcome by application of the strategies that were earli er discussed in Porter’s generic strategy model. This will make the company a formidable competitor in the industry. Conclusion and Recommendations From the analysis above by the use of Porter’s generic strategies and SWOT analysis it has been identified that whilst the company may have some weaknesses, it also possesses several capabilities if well utilised, will strengthen its brand position in the denim apparel industry. Several recommendation can however be made for Levi Strauss. One of these would be that the company should focus on the frequently changing needs of consumers in the denim market and ensure that its operations and designs are flexible enough to match with these changing trends. Taking advantage of technological milestones in the fashion industry also recommended. This will ensure the production of unique yet trendy designs. From the Ansoff matrix below, the strategic directions that a company can use to position itself in the market are presented (Taylor, 2012). Two of the four strategic directions suggested by this model have already been adopted by Levi Company, that is, selling existing products to existing markets and extending existing products in new markets. It can however recommended that the company should adopt one of the two remaining factors of this model, which is the diversification through creation of more designs of products that suit a wider demographic scope of customers. This will lead to larger consumer base hence higher revenue. References Cunningham, J., & Harney, B?. (2012) Strategy and Strategists. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Grant, R. M. (2013) Contemporary Strategy Analysis. New Jersey: Wiley. Johnson, G., Whittington, R., Angwin, D., Regnr, P., & Scholes, K. (2014). Exploring Strategy Text Only. UK: Pearson Education, Limited. Ommani, A. R. (2011) Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis for farming system businesses management: Case of wheat farmers of Shadervan District, Shoushtar Township, Iran. African Journal of Business Management. 5(22). p.9448-9454. Porter, M. (2008) Competitive Strategy: Techniques for Analysing Industries and Competitors. New York: Simon and Schuster. Tanwar, R. (2013) Porter’s Generic Competitive Strategies. Journal of Business and Management. 15(1). p.11-17. Taylor, E. C. (2012) Competitive Improvement Planning: Using Ansoff’s Matrix with Abell’s Model to Inform the Strategic Management Process. Academy of Strategic Management 10(1). p.21-25. Zott, C., Amit, R., & Massa, L. (2011) The business model: recent developments and future research. Journal of management 37(4). p.1019-1042.

Hamlet Act 1 Summary, Scene by Scene

This Act 1 summary of Shakespeares Hamlet sets the stage with the characters, setting, plot, and tone of this five-act tragedy. The play opens on the ramparts of Elsinore Castle in Denmark during a changing of the guard. The old king, Hamlets father, has died. The kings brother Claudius has replaced him, stealing Hamlets rightful place on the throne. He has already married Hamlets mother. The previous two nights, the guards had seen a silent ghost resembling Hamlets dead father. They ask Hamlets friend Horatio to watch on the third night, and he sees the ghost. Horatio convinces Hamlet to watch the next night. Hamlet confronts his fathers ghost, who tells him that Claudius murdered him. The dreary tone and harsh setting contrasting with the revelry within the castle foretell of the tragedy that is to come. Act 1, Scene 1 Summary On a bleak, frigid night, the guards Francisco and Bernardo tell Horatio, a friend of Hamlet, about the ghost they had seen that resembles Hamlets father. They convince Horatio to join them and attempt to talk with the ghost if it reappears. Horatio scoffs at the talk of a ghost but agrees to wait. As they begin describing what they saw, the ghost appears. Horatio cant get it to speak but promises to tell Hamlet about the specter. The darkness and cold, coupled with the apparition, set a dire tone of calamity and dread for the remainder of the play. Act 1, Scene 2 The scene opens in contrast to the previous one, as King Claudius celebrates his recent wedding to Gertrude in a bright, joyous castle room surrounded by courtiers. A brooding Hamlet sits outside the action. It is two months since his fathers death, and his widow has already married his brother. The king discusses a possible war and agrees to let Laertes, son of the kings lord chamberlain (Polonius), leave the court and return to school. Recognizing that Hamlet is upset, he tries to make amends, urging Hamlet to abandon mourning and stay in Denmark instead of returning to school. Hamlet agrees to stay. Everyone but Hamlet leaves. He delivers a soliloquy expressing his anger, depression, and disgust for what he considers incest between the new king and his mother. The guards and Horatio enter and tell Hamlet about the ghost. He agrees to join them that night to watch for another appearance. When Claudius scolds Hamlet for his continued mourning, referring to his stubbornness and unmanly grief, Shakespeare sets him up as an antagonist to Hamlet, who is unmoved by the kings words. The kings criticism of Hamlet (A heart unfortified, a mind impatient, An understanding simple and unschooled) implies that he believes Hamlet is unprepared to be king and is attempting to justify his usurpation of the throne. Act 1, Scene 3 Laertes says goodbye to his sister, Ophelia, whom we learn has been seeing Hamlet. He warns her that Hamlet, still in line to be king, will always put the kingdom before her. Polonius enters and lectures his son on how to conduct himself at school, advising him to treat his friends well, listen more than talk, dress well but not too well, avoid lending money and to thine own self be true. Then he, too, warns Ophelia about Hamlet. She promises not to see him. Polonius advice to Laertes seems rote, relying on aphorisms regarding appearances rather than offering honest advice to a son. With Ophelia, he is more concerned that she bring honor and wealth to the family than about her own desires. Ophelia, as an obedient daughter of the time, agrees to spurn Hamlet. Polonius treatment of his children continues a theme of generational conflict. Act 1, Scene 4 That night, Hamlet, Horatio, and Marcellus, one of the guards who had seen the ghost, wait outside on another cold night. The miserable weather is juxtaposed again with revelry from the castle, which Hamlet criticizes as excessive and damaging to Danes reputation for drunkenness. The ghost appears and beckons Hamlet. Marcellus and Horatio try to prevent him from following, agreeing with Hamlet that it might bring airs from heaven or blasts from hell. Hamlet breaks free and follows the ghost. His accomplices follow him. This scene contrasts Hamlets father, the good king, with Claudius as a drunken reveler and adulterer, and plays on the conflict between image and reality. Claudius appears more suspicious and foreboding than a ghost. Act 1, Scene 5 The ghost tells Hamlet that he is Hamlets father and was murdered by Claudius, who put poison in the napping kings ear. The ghost asks Hamlet to revenge his most foul, strange, and unnatural murder, and Hamlet agrees without hesitation. The ghost also tells Hamlet that his mother was adulterous with Claudius before the old king died. He makes Hamlet promise  that he wont seek revenge on his mother but let her be judged by God. As dawn breaks, the ghost leaves. Hamlet swears he will do what the ghost asks and avenge his fathers murder. Horatio and Marcellus find him, and Hamlet asks them to swear not to reveal anything of the ghost. When they hesitate, the ghost calls from below, demanding they swear. They do. Hamlet warns them that he will pretend to be crazy until he can exact vengeance. The old kings murder creates sympathy for the ghost rather than fear or revulsion, and his mothers adultery tips the scales against her. Hamlet has no choice but to kill the new king, establishing a conflict between his sense of honor and his Christian faith. Key Takeaways Act 1 establishes these plot points: The new king, Hamlets uncle, murdered Hamlets father.His fathers ghost appears to him to describe the murder and charge Hamlet with seeking revenge.Hamlets mother committed adultery with Claudius before her husbands death and married Claudius with unseemly haste.The ghost says Hamlet should let God punish his mother.Hamlet will pretend to be crazy while he exacts vengeance. Act 1 establishes these tones and themes: A sense of dread and tragedy is almost palpable.A conflict between honor and morality is established.Another conflict between appearance and reality.The antagonism between Claudius and Hamlet is part of a generational conflict reflected in Polonius and his children. Sources Hamlet. Hudson Shakespeare Company.Stockton, Carla Lynn. Summary and Analysis Act I: Scene 1. Cliffs Notes, August 13, 2019.Summary of the Play. The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX.