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, please do NOT EVER stand directly in front or behind of the cannon when the vacuum pump is running. Additionally, please be cautious where the cannon is aimed. This demo is ideally done in larger rooms (e.g. Willamette Hall atrium, WIL100, or outdoors) so that the cannon is never pointed at anyone! The vacuum pump also produces oil vapor occasionally when it is running, so make sure you have adequate ventilation. 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, place some mylar over the end of the cannon and secure it in place with the black ring. The ring can be a little difficult to remove and replace on the tube, but it should create a tight fit with the mylar stretched completely over the opening of the tube. Make sure the mylar is replaced on the other end of the tube as well. 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. To launch the ping pong ball, first turn the vacuum pump on (switch located on the back of the pump) and and flip the switch where the pump connects to the tube to evacuate the air from inside the tube. As this happens (it shouldn't take too long) you'll 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 demolishes 2 to 3 soda cans in the container on the other end. You can also try launching the ping pong ball vertically into the air and see how high it goes. If you do this in the Willamette Hall atrium, it will reach the ceiling (please aim away from windows and people on the 4th floor). Here's a good video of what to expect from a ping pong ball cannon and how it works.

Location:

• Ping pong ball cannon tube: F-left (left of shelf F)
• Ping pong balls: Dr. 6
• Vacuum pump: BC-right
• Mylar: BC-right on cart in plastic bag
• Soda cans: Wall G (on cart)