How Can You Build an Effective Air Cannon to Extinguish Candles from a Distance?

[hamilton4prez]

Physics air cannon project

task: Extinguish candles on tables using a vortex ring launcher/ air cannon

rules: No dimension over .305 m
cannon is placed 1-6 m from target
*no foreign objects may be used to help it fire
6 candle targets at increments of 1 meter distancing away from the cannon
30 seconds to extinguish each target
must propel vortex ring of air at the target
*no commmercially made devices
*no explosive substances
*no cartridges or compressed air
*no electricity


although i have a basic understanding of this assignment, i am curious to hear suggestions and hints from brains more intelligent and experienced than mine have to offer. How yould you approach your model? What materials would you use? What is the most efficient method that follows under the guidelines listed above? Please help, my physics grade depends on it.
I have gone through basic trash can and coffee can models, but these seem to be cliche and mediocre.
Thank you!

 

[berkeman]

Physics air cannon project

task: Extinguish candles on tables using a vortex ring launcher/ air cannon

rules: No dimension over .305 m
cannon is placed 1-6 m from target
*no foreign objects may be used to help it fire
6 candle targets at increments of 1 meter distancing away from the cannon
30 seconds to extinguish each target
must propel vortex ring of air at the target
*no commmercially made devices
*no explosive substances
*no cartridges or compressed air
*no electricity


although i have a basic understanding of this assignment, i am curious to hear suggestions and hints from brains more intelligent and experienced than mine have to offer. How yould you approach your model? What materials would you use? What is the most efficient method that follows under the guidelines listed above? Please help, my physics grade depends on it.
I have gone through basic trash can and coffee can models, but these seem to be cliche and mediocre.
Thank you!

Welcome to the PF.

How can you do this without compressing air? Do they allow you to pump it up?

Can you detail some of the solutions you have looked at so far? What do you want to improve on?

 

[Beaker87]

It sounds like you want to build something similar to the "Airzooka Air Gun"

This can be made with a trash bag, some rubber bands, and a barrel of any kind.


I think that a traffic cone with the end cut off would make a pretty neat looking barrel.


I hope this helps,
Beaker87

 

[hamilton4prez]

Thank you very much beaker87! Very appreciated