A Modular Supersonic Ping Pong Gun
Physics Education
2018-02-16 v1 Popular Physics
Abstract
A vacuum-powered device that shoots ping pong balls at high subsonic speeds has been used for physics demonstrations for more than a decade. It uses physics that are easily understood by students, even though its operation is not immediately intuitive. The addition of a pressure plenum and nozzle results in muzzle velocities exceeding Mach 1.5. Balls are readily fired through ping pong paddles and sheets of plywood up to 12.7mm (1/2 inch) thick. Popular reaction to the device indicates that it is an effective way to spark interest in physics and engineering.
Cite
@article{arxiv.1802.05334,
title = {A Modular Supersonic Ping Pong Gun},
author = {Mark French and Rajarshi Choudhuri and Jim Stratton and Craig Zehrung and Davin Huston},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1802.05334},
year = {2018}
}
Comments
13 pages, 11 figures