A Supersonic Ping Pong Gun

TL;DR

This paper presents a modified ping pong gun design incorporating a pressure chamber and convergent-divergent nozzle, enabling the ping pong ball to reach supersonic speeds of about Mach 1.23, enhancing physics education demonstrations.

Contribution

The paper introduces a novel design of a ping pong gun that achieves supersonic speeds using a pressure chamber and convergent-divergent nozzle, expanding its educational utility.

Findings

Achieved ping pong ball speeds of 406 m/sec, approximately Mach 1.23.

Modified design successfully produces supersonic projectile speeds.

Demonstrates potential for advanced physics experiments and education.

Abstract

The Ping Pong gun or Ping Pong bazooka has been a popular and compelling tool for physics education. However, the design necessarily means the ball emerges at subsonic speed. The design has been modified to include a pressure chamber and a convergent-divergent nozzle, similar to the design of some supersonic wind tunnels. This modification results in supersonic speeds. The current design has achieved a launch speed of 406 m/sec, about Mach 1.23.