Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Hi,

I have decided to build a ball launcher and test which will go farther, dimpled golf balls vs smooth golf balls for my science project. I am using PVC pipes to build my launcher and hope to attach it to a leaf blower. Can you suggest another way for me to get enough energy to move the golf ball out of the launcher?

There are many, many ways to launch balls to control an experiment.

Catapults are quite popular, easy to build, and give excellent results.

Air cannons are also a good method. I believe you are thinking along these lines with your leaf blower idea. What you need, however, is some way to store energy and then release it quickly to launch your ball.

Do an internet search for "air cannon" or "tennis ball gun". You should find lots of ideas.

Where do you find smooth golfballs?

melben1993 asks a very interesting question. Because you will have a very hard time getting measurements that accurately reflect the effect you're trying to see unless the balls have very similar sizes and densities (because the air resistance will affect a lighter ball more strongly).