Shooting a Calcium Carbide Cannon

Craig Beals explains how to build and shoot calcium carbide cannon made from PVC. Included are the chemical reactions and equations for calcium carbide and water producing acetylene gas and the combustion reaction of acetylene with oxygen. The carbide cannon will shoot projectiles several hundred feet using only a small amount of carbide and water!
More info about this cannon and carbide at my website: www.bealsscienc...
Learn more at: www.BealsScienc...
Looking for more videos with Calcium Carbide? Check out my Carbide Miner's Lamp video: • The Carbide Miners Lam...
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WARNING:
This video is only for entertainment purposes. If you rely on the information outlined in this video, you assume responsibility for the results. As with any experiment, proceed at your own risk.

[@zelda_smile]

This guy's calcium cannons are gorgeous

[@BealsScience]

Thanks!

[@JasperTheJackal]

I will most definitely be making a golf ball cannon now. Thank you for explaining the polish carbide cannons

[@BealsScience]

Good luck!

[@SocietyUnplugged]

It's a tradition in the Netherlands to use calcium carbide to shoot with milk chums on old year's day.

[@BealsScience]

Society Unplugged it sounds like I need to make a trip to the Netherlands!! When is Old Years day?

[@SocietyUnplugged]

I think you call it new year's eve. It's 31 dec but during the day. You can search for "carbid schieten". p.s. I enjoyed watching your video.

[@BealsScience]

I searched it and Carbid schieten might just have to become a family tradition for us too! Thanks for sharing!

[@ronaldoquintos1675]

I got a tip to make it even louder. When I make mine I get can that will fit in there just right but I put a hole through the can that is smaller so as to create partial restriction.

[@BealsScience]

I will have to try that.

[@monkeydluffy1296]

this shows me how cool science actually is

[@BealsScience]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@edh3881]

We used a couple of cans put together the size of a tennis ball. Three or four cans together a hole at lower side and put tennis ball in and we used to shoot the ball out.

[@insaneo4430]

I think I need one of these for my dog. All she wants to do is chase the ball. I could sit in a lawn chair and sip a cold drink and shoot a ball for her all day - never need to wear out my throwing arm again...

[@BealsScience]

Your dog will get some good exercise! We were getting consistent shots over 300 yards!

[@tayo534]

for my class we are doing a project can you tell me all the small details we need to build this

[@BealsScience]

Of course! I've got a few more details and resources here: www.bealsscience.com/single-post/571702980cf28f7f9b996d93 But let me know if that doesn't answer your questions. I will help clarify in any way I can!

[@QtheminiQ]

Hello again. would it be worth the try to launch a fishing line with a lure and weight using this cannon into the ocean from the ocean bank?

[@BealsScience]

That’s a great idea!!

[@QtheminiQ]

@@BealsSciencecmon?

[@anthonylewis9055]

I like seeing your sons minion shirt under his lab coat. all your "assistants" should be wearing one.

[@BealsScience]

Ha! That is a fantastic idea!!

[@brentreinhart9387]

Hi Beals! Planning on doing this demo for my students. How far down the barrel is the projectile? Is it closer to the ignition hole, middle, or end of the barrel? Thanks in advance!

[@BealsScience]

I push it down to about 3/4 the length of the barrel so that the “chamber” is about 1/4 of the barrel.

[@michaeleschmann2288]

Where I can find the video you alluded to about what the 3" cleanout is used for? Additionally, what rules can you suggest about inserting wadding in the end (how far and how much) to maximize the boom?

[@BealsScience]

I would avoid using the 3" clean out and go with a standard tube with a threaded end-cap. I was experimenting with the cleanout and it eventually blew itself apart - the pvc is too thin at the threads. Also, I am not a big fan of wadding for the pvc cannon because the wadding, depending on how much it is packed in, can cause too much pressure and cause the pvc to fail - also, I tried some wadding and it fit so tightly that I never got much of a reaction - just a lot of carbon smoke. I would suggest finding a ball that fits snugly. I've got more information on my website that might be useful: www.bealsscience.com/post/2016/04/19/calcium-carbide-cannon

[@BobsTwoCarGarage]

great work

[@BealsScience]

Thank you!!

[@alwayscensored6871]

Interesting info. I ran across James Modem's monopropellent. It also only make CO2 n H2O when burnt. Liquid acetalene with O2? Remove the calcium, insert oxygen?

[@infamousbanter]

Lil man screamed and lost his footing chasing football‼️‼️ Crack me up‼️‼️💯💯🤭🤭😏😏

[@BealsScience]

Ha!!! I’m with you!!

[@LYF1710]

I do this when Ramadan with bottle,so we make hole the side a little bottom,and we get water as much as you want,get the carbide,and because when you buy it from local store(yes it legal)it had a size of a thumb and they were cheap,really cheap you can get a thumb size pieces for like 2 cents and a medium plastic bag for 1,5 dollar,we get the thumb size one and hammer it so the size of the bottom of carrot,and then you put the carbide in the mouth of the bottle,close the mouth and the hole in the side,shake it,and then when we wait 20 seconds,when waiting,get a tree branch,get a bottle of petrol,dip the branch into petrol,light it,and if 20 second is up,open the bottle mouth first and then the side hole,light it from side hole,and, warning if the water gets too hot ITS either your bottle gonna burned,or its gonna explode and your skin is burned Edit:you need to get the 1 liter or more,for example:big cola,etc(idk other example so)

[@gscott5778]

Hey you know you are talking about something that you'd better know very well what you are dealing with. Secondly Carbide cannons have been around a LONG Time. I have a 60 year old one I was given as a kid. Here's a little reading homework for you. Oh, by the way if you aren't carefull that PVC pipe can shatter and instead of shooting a golf ball other projectile down range, you could launch pieces of PVC pipe into your body. The Big-Bang Cannon is an American toy cannon first manufactured in the early 20th-century. Numerous consumer fireworks injuries[1] convinced a physics professor at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania to patent a "Gas Gun" in 1907, and the manufacturing of Big-Bang Cannons started in 1912, from the Gas Cannon Company.

[@k.g.442]

For the outdoor shots, were you still using just ONE gram of C-carbide? (+ 20cc H2O?)

[@BealsScience]

Yes! The ratio was the same for all of them.

[@shobaazuka1786]

Borneo People here! Hai

[@BealsScience]

Hello!!! I love your island! Which part of Borneo are you from?

[@AbbasAli-32]

1:43 and 1:47 you are hiding a cute 🐕. That's very nice.😊

[@BealsScience]

That is “Danger” my “lab” assistant!

[@anonymousperson3419]

i grew up in borneo. during muslim festival, the ppl in opposite river (kapuas river) will shot these cannon, giant size one to the other bank. likewise the other bank will shoot back. it is very loud but it is festival anyway. the louder the merrier

[@BealsScience]

That sounds like great fun!!

[@nubeshafatema9743]

How you make the stand

[@BealsScience]

I just cut a hole larger than the diameter of my pipe so it fits in and rests inside the hole.

[@rule62live90]

Parenting done right!

[@Teghiii]

nice information thankss

[@BealsScience]

No problem! Thanks for watching!

[@franklinkrijgsman5797]

Search for: "Carbid schieten Nederland" Your welcome and have fun

[@BealsScience]

👍

[@aidilazharchannel2430]

Come to Malaysia and Indonesia , you'll see massive calcium carbine cannon as traditions every Ramadhan

[@BealsScience]

I would love to see that! I've been fortunate enough to spend time in Sabah (Borneo) Malaysia where I got to see the cannons in action to scare they elephants away but it would be neat to see lots of cannons going at the same time for Ramadan!

[@santhigadde2992]

Where do you get your supplies and ingredients?

[@BealsScience]

I’ve got a list of everything you need and information here: www.bealsscience.com/post/2016/04/19/calcium-carbide-cannon I hope that helps!

[@andreasfromdk3597]

Did you also use 1 gr carbid outside?

[@BealsScience]

Yes. I never use more than 1 gram because the ratio of oxygen to acetylene with more carbide will often cause it to not combust (ignite). In this case, for a chamber this size - more is not necessarily better.

[@andreasfromdk3597]

@@BealsScience thank you 🙂

[@BealsScience]

No problem!

[@nubeshafatema9743]

Is it important to make two chambers

[@BealsScience]

Two chambers? Can you explain what you mean?

[@mateomarangelli9191]

What was the ratio of Carbide to Water used in the outdoor trial?

[@BealsScience]

Same ratio but the ball fits a little tighter so the pressure builds more before the ball reaches the end of the barrel.

[@mateomarangelli9191]

@@BealsScience Ahhh I see, so just let it sit for a bit longer and use a tighter fit for the projectile.

[@BealsScience]

Correct

[@conhecimento7]

EXCELLENT

[@BealsScience]

+World Games thank you! And thanks for watching!

[@billmazeymazey5226]

i made this but am only getting a real small explosion any ideas why?

[@BealsScience]

Bill mazey Mazey I may be able to help with a little more info: Is your carbide black or white? How snug is your projectile? How much carbide and water? Size/diameter of Cannon?

[@michaeleschmann2288]

@@BealsScience can you exzplain how the black vs. white power and the diameter/length impacts the resulting boom of the cannon?

[@michaeleschmann2288]

I'm still curious about the powder differences. As I had expected, larger diameter results in deeper (lower frequency) booms. Will be experimenting with length. Did find 1/4 cup of water yields in louder reports than 20ml of water (with the same 1 gram of calcium carbide).

[@tootired76]

Will it go boom with no wadding??

[@BealsScience]

Yes!

[@tootired76]

@@BealsScience Thank you!

[@tootired76]

Rats!! Got my carbide from Karst sports (no problem with them!) in a 4 oz bottle. So far tried 3 experiments with it. 1X10" capped PVC pipe, 12 oz pop can and an approx. 2 gl. pretzel jug. All went whoosh. Wife didn't hear any of them upstairs! Did I get the wrong kind of carbide??? I'm loathe now to put any cash forward on the PVC pipe like you have for your cannon!

[@fourKeeps2020]

It's where the saying ( lime light) cMe from.

[@BealsScience]

👍

[@flyurway]

Hahaa, nice "caaa--RACK" off those things!!

[@coachfarlina9610]

Malaysia and indonesia legend on this thing

[@BealsScience]

True!

[@magicmonkey8543]

I found my new AT Rifle.

[@anejz1637]

You should see how dutch people shoot with carbide

[@BealsScience]

I’ve had several people share video of Dutch celebrations where they are shooting a ton of carbide in old milk tanks!!! They love it!

[@anejz1637]

@@BealsScience In my country of Slovenia we also shoot with carbide. I just heard one today. We usually shoot with carbide on 1. and 2. of May. We usually use 200L (52 gallon) barrels

[@BealsScience]

Awesome! I’d love to see how those work! What is the celebration on May 1 or 2 Olin Slovenia?

[@anejz1637]

@@BealsScience It's like a holiday similar to your thanksgiving on 27th of April we started fighting against the occupiers(germans) in WW2 and we now have 5 days off every year and on 1st and 2nd of May we call that "working days off (dela prost dan)".

[@BealsScience]

Thank you for sharing! You’ve taught me something new today!

[@benjleath9406]

I see your Golden friend has came to help you !

[@BealsScience]

Yep! That is “Danger” my ‘lab’ assistant!

[@benjleath9406]

He’s a lovely dog,can’t beat a Golden Retriever ! More loyal than people !

[@BealsScience]

I agree! He is 1/2 Golden and 1/2 Lab. He passed away a year ago so now I have a new assistant named Moose. He is also a mix. They are the most lovable dogs around! And smart too.

[@benjleath9406]

That’s a shame ,sorry for your loss ,good job moose Is keeping you company now,we miss our retriever Gypsy two years now since she passed away,they’re such good companions.

[@yasinebrahimnezhadian2727]

Two little sweeties 😍

[@mastro3084]

Here's an 8000 liter cannonkzbin.info/www/bejne/emnKq3yohtide8k

[@amilasudarshana3393]

just say "grand father". : D