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Project Listing

Check this section for additional tips, hints, and instructions regarding the projects in Backyard Ballistics. Don’t own a copy of the book yet? Click here.

Experiment
Description
Complexity
Comments
Updated
The Potato Cannon
PVC pipe with friction spark igniter that launches potatoes Medium Blast those spuds into the stratosphere!
NEW! The Sublimator The dry ice powered tee shirt cannon Medium So cool, it's cold!
Match Rocket
Ported aluminum film forms a rocket chamber on paper match
Simple
Simple, elegant, and makes a nice pfffft sound.
NEW! The EM Pipe Gun An electromagnetically powered projectile launcher Medium Like a railgun; only easier!
Pneumatic Missile
Custom-made stomp-rocket uses air bladder.
Medium
Jump, stomp and launch.
NEW! The Powder Keg Human breath powered flamethrower Medium Yup, it's a flamethrower, but safe as directed
Updated The Water Rocket
Pressurized soda bottle is propelled by water jet.
Medium
A teriffic rocket project; can go 60 feet up, trailing a jet of water.
The Cincinnati Fire Kite
Simple, but impressive hot-air powered airship made from specially folded newspaper.
Simple
Great project for cool outdoor evenings.
Roman-Style Catapult
Scale model of Roman onager-style catapult
Involved
Neat-looking wooden model that really works.
Updated Project
The Tennis Ball Mortar
Mortar assembled from potato chip cans.
Medium
Something that should be in every backyard boomer’s arsenal.
Improved The Dry Cleaner Bag Balloon
High flying, simple-to-make hot air balloon made from dry cleaner bag and pie tin.
Medium
An aerial jellyfish that hovers, soars, and floats.
Updated Project
Pnewton’s Petard
Chemical-free spud gun uses pressurized air for power.
Medium
Pressurized air powers potatoes great distances.
Improved
The Carbide Cannon
Big Bang style cannon powered by calcium carbide and water reaction
Involved
Hear the power. Loud!
The Flinger
Rubber tube powered slingshot
Medium
Aim, stretch, stretch, stretch and shoot.
Expanded! The Ballistic Pendulum
Accurate measuring device uses basic physics to measure an object’s speed.
Medium
Useful for measuring the speed of anything from baseballs to flying potatoes.

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