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Homemade Kinetic Projectile Launcher

Any object in motion has kinetic energy. It takes energy from the force acting upon it to make it move. How much kinetic energy the object has is determined by its mass and velocity.
A projectile, such as an arrow or thrown baseball, contains the kinetic energy imparted to it by the bowstring or the pitcher̵7;s arm. Letting children build and operate simple projectile launchers can be an enjoyable way to teach them about potential and kinetic energy.

Things You'll Need

Wooden broom handle
2 long rubber bands
Small hand saw
2 small eye screws
Duct tape
Ping-pong balls
Rotary tool, with 1/4 inch drill bit
Screwdriver bit
Ruler
Wood screw. 1/4 inch by 2 inches long

Instructions

- 1
  Measure and cut a section of the broom handle 18 inches long. This will be the body of your projectile launcher.
- 2
  Measure and cut a 4-inch long piece from the remainder of the broom handle. This piece will be a handle to make it easier to use the projectile launcher.
- 3
  Drill a hole through the 18-inch broomstick section with the rotary tool and 1/4 inch drill bit. The hole should be slightly forward of the center point. This is where you will attach the handle.
- 4
  Drill a hole in the end of the short piece of broom handle to hold the wood screw and then remove the drill bit and replace it with a screwdriver bit. Drive the wood screw down through the broomstick and into the handle section to attach the handle.
- 5
  Attach an eye screw on opposite sides of one end of the projectile launcher. This is where you will attach the rubber bands to the launcher.
- 6
  Connect the two, long, rubber bands together by pushing one end through the other and tying it off in a slipknot. Fold a piece of duct tape over the knot several times to make a pocket to hold the ping-pong balls.
- 7
  Attach one of the ends of the rubber bands to each of the eye screws. The elastic bands, when drawn back, will gain potential energy that is transferred to the ping-pong balls when the elastic band is released. The energy will then become kinetic energy as the ping-pong ball flies away from the launcher.

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