Ping Pong Ball Cannon

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Description:

Get a ping pong ball to travel at very high speeds and destroy some soda cans using a vacuum pump. For safety, check that no one is directly in front or behind of the cannon when the vacuum pump is running. Be cautious where the cannon is aimed. To set up this demo, insert the ping pong ball at the front of the cannon (the end opposite from where the vacuum pump attaches to the tube). After the ping pong ball is in the tube, have the ball roll to the opposite end of the tube where the pump connects. place a piece of mylar over the each end of the tube and secure them in place with the black rings creating a tight fit with the mylar stretched completely over the opening of the tube. Place 2 or 3 *empty* soda cans in the can container, and slide the tube on to the front of the container as shown in the picture. Connect the vacuum hose to the pipe. To launch the ping pong ball, first turn the vacuum pump on and then popen the pipe valve connected to the tube to evacuate the air from inside the tube. You will see the mylar start to curve in and become concave. Turn off the vacuum pump before launch. To launch the ping pong ball, use a nail to poke a hole in the mylar at the back end of the cannon. There will be a really loud noise as the ping pong ball shoots out the front and passes throiugh 2 to 3 soda cans in the container on the other end.

Location:

• Ping pong ball cannon tube: F-left (left of shelf F)
• Ping pong balls: Dr. 6
• Vacuum pump: On Vacuum Pump Cart, Right side of Black Cabinet
• Mylar: BC-right on Vacuum cart in plastic bag
• Soda cans: (On Cart or Wall G)