Scientists got the ping-pong ball to reach speeds of about 908 miles per hour
(Liz Klimas) Research by scientists at Purdue University’s Department of Mechanical Engineering Technologies have developed what could be among the first supersonic ping-pong guns or ping-pong bazookas and have showed off just what it can do to a standard, wooden ping-pong paddle.
Although subsonic ping-pong guns had been developed before to demonstrate acceleration and the power of pressure differentials in air, the research paper states, a simple addition allowed the scientists to get the ping-pong ball to reach speeds of about 908 miles per hour (slightly more than Mach 1.2).
Watch the concept explanation and the test for yourself (Note: the test comes at 5:47):
