In the Netherlands, people celebrate New Year with one of the loudest and wildest traditions β launching soccer balls like cannonballs! Instead of using real explosives, they mix calcium carbide with water inside a steel barrel to create gas pressure. Once the reaction builds up, a small flame ignites the gas, creating a powerful shockwave that blasts the ball into the air. It looks intense, but itβs surprisingly safe as long as no one stands in the firing direction. A perfect example of how science, culture, and thrill come together in the most unexpected way!
carbide cannon, soccer ball launch, New Year traditions Netherlands, shockwave science, gas pressure experiment, loud celebration method, fun explosive reaction (safe), cultural facts
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