How To Unpop A Ping Pong Ball

Last modified: October 12, 2023

Hey folks! We’ve all been there, in the midst of a heated ping pong game, the ball gets crushed or warped. Everyone’s game comes to a halt. Now what? Should you just throw it away and open a new pack? Well, not quite. Today, we’ll tackle the dilemma of how to unpop a ping pong ball in a few easy steps. So, let’s dive right in!

The Hot Water Method

The hot water method is one of the most common ways to fix a dinged ping pong ball. It’s simple, effective, and chances are you already have everything you need right at home. Here’s how it works.

What You’ll Need

You’ll need a mug, some water, and a microwave. Don’t worry, we’re not going to do some mad scientist stuff. Everything’s fairly safe.

Procedure

Pour water into the mug until it’s about three-fourths full. Place the ping pong ball in the mug and heat the water in the microwave for about one minute. Be careful when you remove the mug—the water will be hot! Using a spoon, gently lift the ping pong ball. The heat from the water should have popped the ball back into shape.

Why it Works

The heat from the water increases the air pressure inside the ping pong ball, forcing it to go back to its original shape. Now, isn’t physics fun?

The Hair Dryer Method

If the hot water method didn’t quite do the trick, or if you’re just not comfortable putting ping pong balls in your microwave, we’ve got a backup plan for you: the hair dryer method.

What You’ll Need

Pretty much as the name suggests, all you need is a hair dryer for this one.

Procedure

First off, put the hair dryer on a low heat setting. You want to warm the ping pong ball, not melt it. Then, simply aim the hair dryer at the ping pong ball. Revolve the ball slowly to evenly distribute the heat for about a minute until it has popped back into shape.

Why it Works

Similar to the hot water method, heating the ball increases the air pressure inside and forces it back to its original shape.

The Boiling Water Method

As a last resort, the boiling water method can also be used to unpop ping pong balls, although it is a little more risky.

What You’ll Need

You’ll need a stove, a pot, some water, and your crushed ping pong ball.

Procedure

Boil some water in the pot. Once it starts to bubble, reduce the heat and place the crushed ping pong ball in the water for about 30 seconds. Using a spoon, remove it from the water and let it cool. The ball should pop back into shape.

Why it Works

This method once again relies on heat to increase the air pressure inside the ball, restoring it to its original shape.

Conclusion

No matter how carefully we handle our ping pong balls, accidents are bound to happen, but the good news is that most of the time, a little heat can save the day, and our game. So next time you have a crushed ping pong ball, give these methods a try before you decide to toss it in the trash. Happy playing!

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