Introduction: How to Make a Marble Cannon

By Leah and Brandon

Step 1: Gather Materials

  • 1x6 pine
  • 3/4" PVC
  • 1/2" PVC
  • 3/4" to 1/2" Reducer
  • 90 degree 1/2" elbow
  • 1/2" Coupler
  • PCs primer and glue
  • Caulking
  • plastic stopper
  • 2 springs
  • Screws
  • Plumbing straps
  • 3/4" Wooden Dowel rod

Step 2: Measure

Measure the wood accordingly to how big you want your base. Measure your PVC to roughly 18in. Measure your Wooden dowel rod to about 18in (When you assemble it Make sure you leave like 2in top the tip of the cannon for the marble).

Step 3: Cut

Cut everything that you measured to the measurements that you made.

Step 4: Assemble Pieces

Put the base together (doesn't matter what it looks like, it just has to be stable). Put the Dowel rod in the PVC leave room at the top for the marble. Use the plumbing straps to attach the PVC to the base. Put the elbow on the dowel rod uses the PVC glue. Attach the springs to the Elbow and PVC pipe with screws. Finally put the plastic stopper at the end of the dowel rod inside the PVC.

Step 5: Record Your Practice Shots

Test your cannon and record your shots and make marks of how far they went on the dowel rod for consistency.

Step 6: Calculations

  • Trial 1

-Launch Height: 0.35

-Angle: 21 degrees

-Distance: 1.4

-Initial Velocity: 7.04 m/s

-Time: 0.2

  • Trial 2

-Launch Height: 0.35m

-Angle: 21 degrees

-Distance: 3.1m

-Initial Velocity: 7.83 m/s

-Time: 0.4s

  • Trial 5

-Launch Height: 0.35m

-Angle: 21 degrees

-Distance: 4.5m

-Initial Velocity: 8.71 m/s

-Time: 0.53s