The Incredible Power of a Supersonic Baseball Cannon

The supersonic baseball cannon is a culmination of childhood love for baseball, study of aerodynamics, and professional work as a weapons tester.

The cannon allows for hands-on learning about how objects move at supersonic velocities.

Precise control of the velocity and timing of the baseball enables further experiments and research.

The cannon's powerful impact can shatter objects like silly putty due to the force generated.

High-speed cameras and math help in analyzing the ball's speed, deceleration, and drag.

What is the purpose of the supersonic baseball cannon?

—The cannon serves as a tool for understanding the movement of objects at supersonic velocities and enables further experiments.

How did you design and build the cannon?

—The cannon was carefully designed and constructed, with support from patrons of SmarterEveryDay.

What objects have you tested the cannon on?

—We have tested the cannon on rainbow sprinkles, extra-heavy mayonnaise, and even a gong.

What insights have you gained from the experiments?

—We have learned about the behavior of objects upon impact, the role of air pressure, and the effects of drag.

How does the cannon achieve precise control over the ball's velocity?

—By adjusting the amount of air pressure and timing the release, we can control the speed at which the baseball is launched.

01:21Introduction to the supersonic baseball cannon and its objective of characterizing its performance.

05:53Analysis of the impact of the cannon on rainbow sprinkles, demonstrating the explosive nature of the cannon's force.

08:57Observation of shock waves and their propagation resulting from the impact of the cannon.

11:21Testing the cannon's power on various objects, including silly putty and a gong.

13:23Building up to the highest pressure level of 800 psi for testing the cannon's capabilities.