Calculating Drag Force and Spin for a Ping Pong Ball Launcher

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The forum discussion centers on the challenges faced by a group at Bath University in building a ping pong ball launcher. Key issues include determining whether a ping pong ball will drop into a 40mm tube with air flowing at 6 bar and calculating the drag force on the ball, particularly when accounting for spin. It is established that a dynamic pressure of 6 bar is significant enough to likely cause the ball to blow back out of the tube. The discussion also raises questions about the mathematical approach to calculating drag force and trajectory.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of fluid dynamics principles
  • Familiarity with drag force calculations
  • Knowledge of projectile motion and trajectory analysis
  • Basic calculus for integral calculations
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the principles of drag force and how to calculate it for spherical objects
  • Learn about the effects of spin on projectile motion, particularly in sports physics
  • Study the Bernoulli equation and its application in fluid dynamics
  • Explore numerical methods for solving integrals related to drag force at varying velocities
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for engineering students, physics enthusiasts, and hobbyists involved in designing projectile devices or studying fluid dynamics and aerodynamics.

chris_tams
Messages
18
Reaction score
0
Hi there. I'm at bath uni. Our group is building a ping pong ball launcher. Here are some issues we encountered.

If the ball is to drop vertically into a 40mm tube with air flowing at 6bar(does this mean anything?) will it drop in or will it blow back out.

Also I'm not to sure how to calculate the drag force on the TT ball through the air. I need to calculate its range and trajectory. Obviously this will change when spinning. Is it possible to take spinning into account on paper?

Is there a standard integral i need to calculate the drag at each velocity?

Any help will do.

Thanks
 
Physics news on Phys.org
chris_tams said:
Hi there. I'm at bath uni. Our group is building a ping pong ball launcher. Here are some issues we encountered.

If the ball is to drop vertically into a 40mm tube with air flowing at 6bar(does this mean anything?) will it drop in or will it blow back out.

Also I'm not to sure how to calculate the drag force on the TT ball through the air. I need to calculate its range and trajectory. Obviously this will change when spinning. Is it possible to take spinning into account on paper?

Is there a standard integral i need to calculate the drag at each velocity?
A dynamic pressure of 6 bar is huge so I have no doubt the ping pong ball will blow back out. I think you could blow through the tube and blow the ball out. I don't see how you could calculate it on the information provided.

AM
 

Similar threads

Undergrad Why does my ball launcher spin the ball and not launch it (air)?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
1K
High-Accuracy & High-Precision Launcher for Ping Pong Balls?
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
5K
Undergrad Ball free fall 100m at equator, where is the landing spot?
  • · Replies 45 ·
2
Replies
45
Views
5K
Undergrad Relationship between Drag Force & Viscous Torque on USA Football
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
1K
Undergrad Calculating Force on a Golf Ball when Putting on a Level Green
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Undergrad Ping-pong ball floating on a bowl of water
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
12K
Viable Railgun Setup? (ping pong balls)
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
4K
Fluids and Ping Pong Ball Magnus and Coanda Effect
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K
Undergrad [Questions] Modeling a Baseball Pitch Trajectory in 3D Space
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Undergrad Ping Pong ball through a bowling ball
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K