I need to shoot a ping pong ball 5 meters at a target using some launcher contraption that i make, and i can't just catapult it, it has to have some sort of switch to make it launch and i have no idea where to start
2006-12-17 10:13:24 · 7 answers · asked by Sarah 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
How about a "Push" type solenoid. This is an electromagnet with the coils wound on a hollow tube. Inside the tube is a metal plunger. When energized the plunger will be rapidly drawn into the tube by the magnetism.
So if you place a ping pong ball infront of the section that pushes out (see attached link) and energized the coil the plunger will strike the ball launching it forward.
You can also try making a gauss rifle while uses the projectile to strike the ping pong ball launching it forward
2006-12-17 11:54:24 · answer #1 · answered by MarkG 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ping Pong Launcher Project
2016-10-30 07:40:19 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are a number of possibilites that come to mind. Let's explore a few:
1. The ping-pong cannon. Use a metal tube the same diameter as a ping-pong ball. Epoxy a standard lawn-mower spark-plug into one end of the tube-spark gap inside the tube. Attach an engine coil to the spark plug, squirt a little lighter fluid into the tube, insert a ping pong ball, and then charge and discharge the coil. Boom! One dangerously high velocity ping pong ball.
2. The invisible paint, paint-ball gun. Modify a paint-ball gun by extending the barrel with a ping-pong ball diameter tube. Insert a ping-pong ball, load the paint-ball gun, and pull the trigger. Paint-ball and ping pong ball will exit the barrel extension with sufficient velocity to impress even the most stoic of instructors.
3. A little more benign, but still effective. Glue a small, BB-sized rod perpendicular to the surface of a ping-pong ball. insert this rod into a standard BB gun and pull the trigger. It will fly.
4. How about a biological solution? Take your pet dog and train him or her to pick up a ping-pong ball and then take a running leap at the nearest target. This action must be on comand, since that is the trigger mechanism.
5. Hmm...hydraulic? Take a high-pressure squirt gun and copy the device of possibility 2.
6. Walk up to a fellow student and offer him or her a dollar to throw the ping pong ball at the target. You didn't throw it, and the dollar was a trigger mechanism. It fulfils the requirements of the exercise, and the instructor will see that you have a brilliant career in either business or politics.
2006-12-17 10:32:37 · answer #3 · answered by Dr.T 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd recommend an air cannon of some sort: a tube of appropriate diameter, perhaps PVC pipe, connected to some compressed air source, maybe a large balloon, with a valve. When the valve is opened the air will shoot into the base of the pipe and propel the ball forward. 5 metres, about 15 feet, shouldn't be too hard.
2006-12-17 10:24:14 · answer #4 · answered by poorcocoboiboi 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do a web search for spudzooka. There are plans, which can be adapted for a ping pong ball size rather than the tennis ball size they use. There are varying propellants and triggering mechanisms available. Enjoy!
2006-12-17 10:48:29 · answer #5 · answered by sparkletina 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hmm..
you can try something that has to do something with electricity...
change the volt such that.. once you switch the thing on.. heat builds on.. and the wire breaks...
and all potential energy = BOOM!!
I am just a high school... and physics grade 12 .. is next semester..
so...
2006-12-17 10:38:46 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make a railgun.
2016-03-13 08:02:16 · answer #7 · answered by Elizabeth 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
cover the ball in anal lube, but it up your butt, and squeez....the squeez is the trigger.
2006-12-20 02:35:37 · answer #8 · answered by truelyhonest99 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋