Bamboo cannon
Encyclopedia
Meriam buluh or bamboo cannon is a type of home-made firecracker
which is popular during the Hari Raya festive season in Malaysia, and during the New Year
's day celebration in the Philippines
. Like other fireworks, bamboo cannons are illegal as stated in Malaysian Explosive Act 1957; ironically, more Malay children turn to the more dangerous bamboo cannon as an alternative to commercial firecrackers which were made illegal by the government.
A modern variation of the cannon, called a boga
, became popular in the Philippines
until they were banned by the government in 2006. Other option is make use of milk cans.
and a mixture of calcium carbide
and water
. The chemical reaction formed as a result of mixing calcium carbide with water inside the bamboo produces acetylene
, an explosive gas. The acetylene explodes when a flame is introduced to the mixture. The explosion may cause severe injury if not handled carefully.
The following describes what some call a
"hairspray" cannon, using a flammable,
volitile fuel in a tube.
Kerosene is also used as a fuel. Less than a cup (about 200ml) of hot kerosene is poured into a small hole near the breach of the cannon. A lighting stick is used to ignite the fumes and fire the cannon. Then fresh air is blown into the small hole and the cannon is fired again. It takes some practice to make the loudest bang. The bamboo is usually around 4 to 6 inches in diameter and 4 to 5 feet long.
Firecracker
A firecracker is a small explosive device primarily designed to produce a large amount of noise, especially in the form of a loud bang; any visual effect is incidental to this goal. They have fuses, and are wrapped in a heavy paper casing to contain the explosive compound...
which is popular during the Hari Raya festive season in Malaysia, and during the New Year
New Year
The New Year is the day that marks the time of the beginning of a new calendar year, and is the day on which the year count of the specific calendar used is incremented. For many cultures, the event is celebrated in some manner....
's day celebration in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. Like other fireworks, bamboo cannons are illegal as stated in Malaysian Explosive Act 1957; ironically, more Malay children turn to the more dangerous bamboo cannon as an alternative to commercial firecrackers which were made illegal by the government.
A modern variation of the cannon, called a boga
Boga (noisemaker)
The boga, also known as a PVC cannon, is a noisemaker popular with revellers celebrating the New Year in the Philippines. Use of the device has been banned by the Philippine government since 2006. Originating from the province of Cavite, the device is made from a length of PVC pipe of substantial...
, became popular in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
until they were banned by the government in 2006. Other option is make use of milk cans.
How it works
A typical bamboo cannon consists of a large bambooBamboo
Bamboo is a group of perennial evergreens in the true grass family Poaceae, subfamily Bambusoideae, tribe Bambuseae. Giant bamboos are the largest members of the grass family....
and a mixture of calcium carbide
Calcium carbide
thumb|right|Calcium carbide.Calcium carbide is a chemical compound with the chemical formula of CaC2. The pure material is colorless, however pieces of technical grade calcium carbide are grey or brown and consist of only 80-85% of CaC2 . Because of presence of PH3, NH3, and H2S it has a...
and water
Water
Water is a chemical substance with the chemical formula H2O. A water molecule contains one oxygen and two hydrogen atoms connected by covalent bonds. Water is a liquid at ambient conditions, but it often co-exists on Earth with its solid state, ice, and gaseous state . Water also exists in a...
. The chemical reaction formed as a result of mixing calcium carbide with water inside the bamboo produces acetylene
Acetylene
Acetylene is the chemical compound with the formula C2H2. It is a hydrocarbon and the simplest alkyne. This colorless gas is widely used as a fuel and a chemical building block. It is unstable in pure form and thus is usually handled as a solution.As an alkyne, acetylene is unsaturated because...
, an explosive gas. The acetylene explodes when a flame is introduced to the mixture. The explosion may cause severe injury if not handled carefully.
The following describes what some call a
"hairspray" cannon, using a flammable,
volitile fuel in a tube.
Kerosene is also used as a fuel. Less than a cup (about 200ml) of hot kerosene is poured into a small hole near the breach of the cannon. A lighting stick is used to ignite the fumes and fire the cannon. Then fresh air is blown into the small hole and the cannon is fired again. It takes some practice to make the loudest bang. The bamboo is usually around 4 to 6 inches in diameter and 4 to 5 feet long.
See also
- Boga (noisemaker)Boga (noisemaker)The boga, also known as a PVC cannon, is a noisemaker popular with revellers celebrating the New Year in the Philippines. Use of the device has been banned by the Philippine government since 2006. Originating from the province of Cavite, the device is made from a length of PVC pipe of substantial...
- Carbide cannonBig-Bang CannonThe Big-Bang Cannon is an early 20th century American toy that is still manufactured to this day. Numerous consumer fireworks injuries convinced a physics professor at Lehigh University to patent a "Gas Gun" in 1907. The manufacturing of Big-Bang Cannons started in 1912.The original name of the...
- Calcium carbideCalcium carbidethumb|right|Calcium carbide.Calcium carbide is a chemical compound with the chemical formula of CaC2. The pure material is colorless, however pieces of technical grade calcium carbide are grey or brown and consist of only 80-85% of CaC2 . Because of presence of PH3, NH3, and H2S it has a...
- FirecrackerFirecrackerA firecracker is a small explosive device primarily designed to produce a large amount of noise, especially in the form of a loud bang; any visual effect is incidental to this goal. They have fuses, and are wrapped in a heavy paper casing to contain the explosive compound...
- Hari Raya