Introduction: Marble Cannon

Mr. B 5th Period A day Marble Cannon Project by Landon Sumor and Sam Bosworth

Step 1: Gather Your Mats

- 2 2x4's cut 18in in length

- 1 1x1 cut 18in in length

- 1 3/4 inch pvc pipe cut 14in in length

- 1 1/2 inch dal rod cut 12in

- 1 3/4 inch door hinge

- 2 half-inch diameter springs

- 10 2 inch screws

- duct tape

- drill, saw, measuring tape,

Step 2: Assembling the Base

Attach Door hinge to inside of the 2 2x4's on the short side.

Then, screw 1x1 into the top of the top 2x4 on both ends to make sure it is sturdy.

Begin to bore a hole through the dal rod on one end, leaving about an inch remaining.

Next, attach one spring to a screw and drill it through said hole until the screw is showing on both sides about the equal amount.

Finally, drill a screw about 3.5 inches down on the 1x1 from the right.

Step 3: Assembling the Cannon

- Duct tape the pvc pipe to the 1x1 leaving about 2.5 inches on the same side you already screwed the screw into.

- Next, insert dal rod into pvc pipe and attach the second spring to the exposed side of the screw in the dal rod.

- Use duct tape accordingly to contain the springs to the screws so they don't fall out.

- Attach the other sides of the springs to the screw in the 1x1.

Step 4: Checking for Errors

- Test the cannon several times from a variety of ranges to test its consistency

- Make minor improvements, if needed, to adjust your cannon to be sure of success

- Finally, your cannon is done. Now, you begin your tests and your mathematical research

Step 5: Mathematics

- First, figure out an angle that your cannon works with. This is done by simple trial and error and there will be a range of possible angles.

- Once an angle has been found, you can apply it in kinematic formulas.

- By taking the distance/time you get the velocity in which you fired your cannon.

- Velocity is just another term for speed, measured in meters/second.

- With the velocity, you can determine how hard to shoot your cannon to go a specific distance, and the acceleration of your marble.