Ping Pong Ball Shooter

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In this activity, learners use ABS pipe and an air leaf blower to make a strong shooting machine. This model utilizes Bernoulli's principle to create an area of low air pressure so that ping pong balls are loaded using air pressure, then blown out the shooter. Learners experiment with ping pong balls and Styrofoam balls to show the vortex effect. Learners also examine how the ball shape makes the ball shoot out at different speeds. They can also experiment with what makes a ball travel different distances. As with all shooting toys, a responsible adult should be present during use, never aim at people, and always use appropriate safety measures.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
10 to 30 minutes
Learning Time:
1 to 2 hours
Estimated Materials Cost:
Over $20 per group of students
Age Range:
Ages 11 - adult
Resource Type:
Activity
Language:
English

Materials List (per group of students)

  • 1.5" diameter ABS pipe, 5ft long
  • 1.5" diameter ABS T-connector
  • mini hacksaw with thin blade
  • masking tape
  • sand paper
  • ruler
  • regulation size ping pong balls
  • 1.5" diameter
  • air leaf blower
  • appropriate safety measures

Keywords

Subjects

  • Mathematics
    • Measurement
      • Rate
  • Physical Sciences
    • Motion and Forces
      • Momentum and Velocity
      • Projectile Motion
    • States of Matter
      • Gases
    • Structure and Properties of Matter
  • The Nature of Science
    • The Scientific Process
      • Conducting Investigations
  • The Nature of Technology
    • The Design Process
      • Troubleshooting and Maintenance

Informal Categories

  • Toys

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see
  • read
  • touch

Learning styles supported:

  • Involves hands-on or lab activities

Other

This resource is part of:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

  • Suzuki, Mami ; Yagi, Ichiamasa

Rights:

  • All rights reserved, Make Projects, 2011