How can I go about making a catapult that launches a ping-pong ball 12, 17, and 22 feet?
551475
You could start by calculating the initial velocity and launch angle required for each distance and then design your catapult to meet those requirements. The below simulator can help with making the velocity and angle determinations.\n\nhttp://www.lcse.umn.edu/specs/labs/catapult/practice.html\n\n\nPersonally I would try to get an idea of what I needed to build from calculations. Then build something that I thought was over kill, and include adjust ability. Then I would figure out how far back the arm had to be pulled to give me the desired distances by trial and error. Getting the calculations to match real world conditions could get complicated.
455040
Last time I did this, we made a basket kind of thing an place the egg inside it. Remaing straws we pulled it to make it long n tied it to the egg(in the basket). Instead of throwing the egg, we slowly release the straws (straws act like a rope) so the egg reached ground safely. just make a simple catching platform in your case. Concetrate your resource for the rope and basket. \n\nThis exercise want us to think outside the box.Hope this help.
711655
tie a can of alpo dog food to your net make sure to punch a lot of holes in it youll see it works great
286161
You need real plyer. There is a free version. It sounds like you just tried the premium version. The free version should fit your needs and can be downloaded in multiple places.\nhttp://www.download.com/RealPlayer/3000-2139-10255189.html\n\nhttp://www.real.com/player/?lang=de&has-player=false&player-version=&has-arcade=false&bw=363
334998
catapult or trebuchet
411006
wrap it in bubble wrap then in card board throw as close to 45 degrees and it will go the furthest
733286
use rockets or inclines...\n\nwhen indoors run to the largest windows, open and jump.\n\nalso when on steep embankments, run down them as fast as you can without snapping your legs off.\n\nwhen using the catapult bar strap on rockets will gain you the height you need.
419641
http://www.branders.com/referrertrack/gac011709?rdURL=/index.jsp&gclid=CNm32a-8vYQCFRh8UAodkQ-HLQ\nhttp://shopping.yahoo.com/search/;_ylc=X3oDMTJvdDU0cTk3BF9TAzk2MDc5MjYwBGFkZ3JwAzI4NzA1OTk3MwRldnQDODc3NzE1MwRrA2N1c3RvbSBib3dsaW5nIGJhbGwEb21tA2Jyb2FkBHNlYwNrYgRzbGsDdGl0bGU-?view=l&p=custom+bowling+ball&sp=pall&no_truncation=1
93903
I would have two large, EXTREMELY LARGE balls attached with a rather large string or steel cable or whathaveya. I would throw one ball in space and BAM it goes on forever!\n\n~or two quote someone, until it hits something.
461302
So far, you have a starting position and an ending position.  If this were a physics question, you'd also need numbers like the mass of the ball and the initial launch velocity.\n\nIn general the equation of motion is given by\n\ns = s0 + v0t + at^2\n\nwhere you need or have the final position (which we have), initial position (which we have), initial speed (which we're looking for, gravity (a known constant), and the time in flight (which we can find using other equations).  Generally, things will go up and down parabolically, not in a straight line, so we need more information about this to answer your question.\n\nNow if you're just looking at a straight line path, then you can use some trig to find at least the angle to the ball (you can't find the speed if you're assuming straight line travel).  In this case, if the person is 1.7 m, and he is standing 5.8 m from the basket that is 3.05 m away, you have a right triangle where the horizontal leg is 5.8 m and the vertical leg is 4.1 m (the difference between the height of the basket and the player, assuming that the ball is thrown from 1.7 m above the ground).  Using the tangent function, you can find that angle:\n\ntan x = opposite side / adjacent side\n= 4.1 / 5.8\n= 0.7069\nx = 35.26 degrees\n\nBut again, laws of motion dictate that the ball follow a parabola to the basket.  But at least we can say that the launch angle has to be at least 35.26 degrees.
689757
Haha, yeah I know..! It looks like a catapult just "springs" the ball from his hands or something..! I guess you go with what works though...! As LONG as it works...! Haha
520077
Have you tried the Pressurised Bottle Rocket?\n\nEasily constructed with used plastic bottles. What you need is a pump, cork and a tube. Build some tail fins to stablise the rocket for flight. You need to put in some water in the bottle. Then just pump the pressure up and you have an entertaining setup.\n\nHave a challenge who can shoot the highest and then parachute the Rocket down. The highest and/or the longest hang time wins.\n\nYou will need a field to do this properly though.
1169077
It'd be easy to just say, throw the darn dart!  I'm hoping you want the rules to Darts.\n\nIf so, try the link in my Source list.\n\nGood luck, and have fun, and be safe!
1172930
We did it.  We bought a couple 11/2 inch poles drilled some holes to tie the net on.  Very easy.  Then pounded them into the ground.
335981
Get one of those pitchback net things and practice throwing inside the square and work on your control first and then you can add some speed.
896989
You can make a ball bearing launcher:\nhttp://my.execpc.com/~rhoadley/maglnch.htm\n\nYou can make your own levitating MagLev train:\nhttp://my.execpc.com/~rhoadley/magtrain.htm\n\nOther info is available here:\nhttp://www.kn.sbc.com/wired/fil/pages/listmagnetsan1.html
830321
I think you should get some plastic PVC pipe and related parts as needed and you can cut them to the size you actually want. So as to not make it so flimsy you should probably use about 1 1/2 to 2 inch pipe. Some kind of fish net or other netting will do .\n\nIf you check out some internet sites for golf nets you can view a pic to use as a patter I suppose.\n\nHere are a couple of good web sites.\n\nhttp://www.sportnetting.com/?src=looksmart\n\nhttp://innovagolf.com/gonetgoprnet2.html\n\nHave fun with your project.\n\nLeon