How Do You Make A Ping Pong Launcher?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a high school physics activity where participants are tasked with designing a ping pong launcher using specified materials. The goal is to create a launcher that allows the ping pong ball to stay in the air for the longest duration possible.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster considers various designs, including a catapult and slingshot, and seeks the best approach. Other participants suggest using scissors as part of the slingshot mechanism and question the characteristics of an ideal launcher based on physics principles. There are also discussions about potentially modifying the ball's weight.

Discussion Status

Participants have shared different design ideas and considerations, with some expressing uncertainty about the best method. The original poster has reported back on their experience after the activity, indicating some success with their slingshot design, although there seems to be a shift in focus regarding the contest's actual goal.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of specific materials allowed for the project, and some participants question the definitions of those materials. The original poster expresses concern about redundancy in their question, indicating a desire for guidance in a new context.

DarkWeiss
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Hey. :)
I'm new here and this is my first post... so please bear with me... xo

I'm a 4th year high school and we're going to have an activity in Physics tomorrow. We need to make a ping pong launcher that will make the ball stay in the air for the longest period of time. Here are the materials allowed:
1/2 cartolina
20pcs. rubberband
tape
string
scissors
glue
ping pong ball

We should design our own and I practically have no idea because this is the first time that we're going to have an activity that requires us to actually think and design and make something.

I've though about making it in a "catapult" sort of way but I don't know how. A sort of "slingshot" form looks okay and easy to make. You know, roll the cartolinas to make two posts then attach the rubberbands between the two poles then you could propel the ball to the air through that set up.

But there must be the BEST way and i need to know what it is.

I'd appreciate all the help you can give.

Thanks. :biggrin:
 
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Wait... this isn't a redundunt question, is it?

'Coz, you know, I'm new and all and maybe there's already like thousands who've asked before.

If that's the case, sorry. T___T

But if you would be so kind, please refer to me where I could find the help that UI would need.

Thanks. ^____^
 
I need some sleep. it's 3:42AM here so I'll be back later.

^____^
 
No idea what cartolina is. Not that it matters much.

You should have little trouble working out what the characteristics of an ideal launcher are using physics, and work your way backward from there.
 
Dictionary.com tells me cartolina means "postcard" in Italian.

I think a slingshot is the way to go. You can use the scissor handles to form the slingshot.

If you know how to use a sling then probably that would be better than a slingshot. I don't know how to use a sling, but it looks like you could make it.

Also you might want to look into making the ball heavier--maybe fill it with glue--if that's allowed.
 
Last edited:
Thanks. ^__^

Our activity's done already and, yeah, we made a slingshot.

We've managed to let it stay in the air for 3.28 seconds.. but the longest was 4.02 seconds.. oh well.

Thanks again for all the help. :D
 
The contest shouldn't have been keeping it in the air longest, it should have been launching the ball the farthest :S
 

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