Hello HaveQuestions,
There are a number of good sites describing this kind of science
project. This answer will introduce you to a few of them for
background information and then make suggestions related to the
specific steps you describe.
The Hot Versus Cold Tennis Ball
http://wings.avkids.com/Curriculums/Tennis/hotcold_howto.html
has a good one page summary of the items needed (tape measure, tennis
balls, thermometer, oven / freezer, etc.), suggestions on methods,
forms to record information, and so on. There is also a look at a
series of pages describing the problem statement and walks through the
project at
http://wings.avkids.com/Tennis/Project/coldhot.html
Successful Science Fair Projects
http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/fair.html
A good guide to how to organize a science project, written by a
science fair organizer / judge. It goes through each of your steps
with good suggestions. There are also a few different ideas for the
bouncing ball project including:
- old vs. new tennis balls
- pressure of a basketball
General Wolfe Science Project Handbook
http://www.wsd1.org/GeneralWolfe/scdept/handbook/handbook.htm
Another good guide on organizing a science project, the steps
involved, and so on. A sample hypothesis is for air pressure in a
basketball.
Glubber and Glue Putty
http://www.lessonplanspage.com/ScienceExBoraxPlusGlueEqualsWhatMO68.htm
Describes how to make balls from household materials (powdered borax,
borax, glue). These won't necessarily bounce high, but could be used
to compare with other balls and can be fun to make.
Suppliers of Kits / Materials
http://www.holycowscience.com/projects.html
has a "fourth grade" kit for bouncing tennis balls.
http://www.scienceproject.com/projects/intro/intermediate/IP015.asp
a supplier of plans / items for bouncing balls for grades 7 & 8.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0766011658
Science Projects About the Physics of Toys and Games (from
Amazon.com), a book for $21, shipping within 24 hours.
Your local sporting goods store should also be able to supply a
variety of balls, but I would ask at your school or friends first.
To the steps. I will use the tennis ball example in explaining the
steps. However, I suggest reading one or both of the sites above that
describe the steps of the science project for additional ideas.
#1 - the problem.
Let's say I want to hit tennis balls farther. Thinking about the
problem, I can practice to get better skill, I can exercise to get
stronger, or I can get better equipment. Focusing on the third
alternative, I need to find a "better ball". Using
http://wings.avkids.com/Tennis/Project/coldhot-03.html
as a guide, it lists three questions to answer. There are certainly
other questions that could be asked such as the "new" vs. "old"
comparison and other considerations.
#2 - information search
At this point, what additional information do you need? Using the
tennis ball example, there are organizations such as the ITF that
specify balls and surfaces in tennis:
http://www.itftennis.com/shared/medialibrary/pdf/original/IO_1404_original.PDF
(warning - 2.3 Mbyte download) for information about approved tennis
balls. It does have some pretty interesting pictures / figures to
describe how the ITF tests balls. There may also be previous research
reports that are on this or similar topics. I would do a search using
phrases in your question to help find additional on line resources.
#3 - the hypothesis
For the hot / cold tennis ball example, you may know that "hard" balls
bounce higher than soft balls. A hot tennis ball would then bounce
higher because the air pressure inside is a little higher than a cold
ball. So the hypothesis could be...
- hot balls will bounce higher than cold balls
which is a statement that can be readily tested. Pick a statement that
can be tested by an experiment.
#4 - test the hypothesis
You now need some way to test the hypothesis. A repeatable set up
- ladder / stairs
- a hard surface to drop onto
- measuring tape
- balls
- a way to heat / cool the balls
- thermometer
and so on. Do the tests, and record the information on a form. The
sites above have some good tests and information for the hot / cold
tennis ball example.
#5 - analyze the results
At this point, you have the data that shows the relationship between
temperature and "bounce height". Perhaps draw on an X / Y chart with
temperature across the X axis (horizontal) and height across the Y
axis (vertical). Plot the points and draw a line. If the line goes up
to the right, you've proven the hypothesis. If it goes down or is
level, the hypothesis is false.
#6 - draw conclusions
At this point, you need to summarize the results, suggest future
tests, and prepare the presentation.
Let me know if you need further information or if some part of this
answer is unclear. There are other sites available with good science
project ideas and descriptions of "how to" do a science project.
Search phrases included:
bounce ball science project
--Maniac |
Clarification of Answer by
maniac-ga
on
09 Oct 2003 05:13 PDT
Hello HaveQuestions,
Q: What makes a ball bounce?
A: The basic sequence is
- the ball strikes a surface (has kinetic energy)
- ball / surface deforms (converting kinetic to potential energy)
while the ball stops
- ball rebounds (converting potential energy to kinetic energy)
- ball moves off in a new direction (has kinetic energy)
some of the energy at the second step is lost, generally converted to
heat but sometimes deforms the ball / surface. That is why each bounce
is shorter in a series of bounces.
For references:
http://www.clubs.psu.edu/up/sciencelions/AskSL/Fall2002/Basketball.htm
talks specifically about basketballs and how air pressure helps make
the ball elastic (to bounce higher).
http://www.physicscentral.com/lou/lou-00-11.html
describes the relationship between the tennis ball and the racket. For
example, explains how the tightness of the strings affects the speed
of the ball on return.
http://www.psrc.usm.edu/macrog/demos/bball.htm
describes rubber balls (a racketball) and how they bounce differently
based on temperature. Has a number of movies to illustrate the
concepts.
http://www.explorit.org/columns_00-02/aug30-02.html
describes setting up tests with a variety of balls and suggests both
material and air pressure as causes.
http://agpa.uakron.edu/k12/lesson_plans/follow_the_bouncing_balls_part_two.html
a lesson plan that describes using different surfaces, different balls
for the bouncing ball tests.
To adapt the previous answer to address different types of balls (and
not hot / cold ones), do the following:
1. Select a problem statement such as
I need to select a 'better" bouncing ball for a game.
This problem should help direct the type of data collected / tests to
be performed. This should be something your daughter is interested in,
but I can suggest other examples if needed.
2. The sites previously provided (as well as those above) provide
background information. In this case, organize it based on "different
materials", or "size", or other factors instead of hot / cold (or air
pressure). The organization at this step will lead into the
hypothesis.
3. The hypothesis can then be something like
I believe rubber balls bounce higher than plastic balls.
Use something based on the balls you have and the information you
collected.
4, 5, and 6. The remaining steps should be similar to what was
described before. Vary the item appropriate to the hypothesis (e.g.,
rubber ball, plastic ball, air filled ball). Record the data and do
the analysis to come to a conclusion.
For more sites, I suggest a search using phrases such as
what makes a ball bounce
ball bounce different materials
better bouncing ball
--Maniac
|
