- Secure the PVC pipe to the stand and table
- Attach the vacuum pump
- Place the ping pong ball at one end of the tube, ensuring that there is nothing on the other end of the pipe that will be damaged by a high speed projectile
- Seal both ends of the tube with packing tape, or a diaphragm
- Place a fresh 1/16″ plywood target at the end of the tube
- Activate the vacuum pump and wait till it has created a sufficient vacuum (from here on out the experiment can be dangerous, ensure nobody approaches the exit end of the tube for any reason.
- After double-checking that the exit end of the tube is not pointing at anything it could damage, create a hole in the diaphragm next to the ping pong ball and watch it fly!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBY3Z4F0dxk
Williams, Chris, and Peter Rees. (2014). Supersonic Ping Pong/Ice Cannon [215] Mythbusters. Los Angeles, CA: Discovery.