Using Laboratory Models to Study Snow Sports

Laboratory models have the possibility of simplifying the science of snow sports. The following graphs excerpted from The Science of Snow Sports: Volume 2 provide samples of straight and curved motion of a model skier on plastic slopes. The flat slope is HDPE Plastic, and the curved slope is Pinypon Ski.

Discussion Questions for Graph 1

1. How high is the model skier at the beginning of the trajectory? At the end?
2. What is the length of the slope? Draw a model of the slope.
3. What is the velocity of the skier at the end of the trajectory?
4. Approximately how much mass does the model (skier plus skis) contain? Is it possible to obtain a precise estimate?
5. Is it possible to estimate the size of the skis? How large might the skis be?

 Discussion Questions for Graph 2

1. Describe the motion of the skier.
2. Is this slope different than the slope from the first graph? If so, how?
3. Describe the forces on the skier. How do the forces affect the motion?

 Discussion Questions for Graphs 3 & 4

1. One of these graphs shows the front view of the turn, and one shows the side view. Which graph corresponds to each view?
2. Compare these two graphs to Graphs 1 and 2. What are the main differences?
3. Why are these graphs not smooth? What happens to the skier in the region of irregularity?
4. What is the effect of the curve on the skier’s motion?

Additional graphs similar to those above can be found in the following science lab manuals from Schottenbauer Publishing:

Graphs & Data for Science Lab: Multi-Volume Series

• The Science of Snow Sports 
• Volume 1: Force, Acceleration, & Video Analysis 
• Volume 2: Force & Video Analysis 

Anthologies of 28 Graphs

• The Science of Winter Olympic Sports 

Additional Information

Schottenbauer Publishing

Free Education Resources

Applying the Science of Blocks & Marbles to Snow Sports!

Individuals seeking to understand the science of snow sports now have an unusual source of information to apply to their sport, from the science of toys! Quite to the surprise of many winter athletes, their motion can be approximated by blocks and marbles as they slide or roll down inclines.

The three graphs below (Copyright 2013, 2014; All Rights Reserved) illustrate some of the forces and motions similar to many snow sports.

Discussion Questions for Graph 1 (Above)

1. From what height does the cube fall?
2. What is the energy of the cube prior to falling?
3. What is the speed of the cube at the end of the trajectory?
4. What type of winter sports contain free fall, similar to the cube?

Discussion Questions for Graph 2 (Above)

1. From what height does the cube slide? 
2. What is the energy of the cube prior to its descent?
3. What is the speed of the cube at the end of the trajectory?
4. How much energy of the cube is converted to heat due to friction with the wood incline?
5. Do you think the coefficient of friction of snow is less than the coefficient of friction of a wood incline?

Discussion Questions for Graph 3 (Above)

1. From what height does the marble roll?
2. What is the energy of the marble prior to its descent?
3. What is the speed of the marble at the end of the trajectory?
4. How does the path of the marble compare to the cube from Graph 2? 
5. What type of snow sport motion is similar to a marble rolling?

Additional graphs similar to those above can be found in the following science lab manuals from Schottenbauer Publishing:

• The Science of Toys
• Volume 1: Blocks & Dominoes Pushed on Flat & Inclined Surfaces (Force)
• Volume 2: Block & Dominoes in Free-Fall, Sliding Down Inclined Surfaces (Force, Video Analysis)

• The Science of Marbles
• Volume 1: Marbles Rolling on Flat Surfaces with & without Friction (Force, Video Analysis)
• Volume 2: Marbles Rolling on Curved Surfaces (Video Analysis) 

• The Science of Play: An Anthology

Additional Information

Schottenbauer Publishing

Free Education Resources

Biathlon Practice: Science of Shooting Sports

The biathlon presents an unusual twist to Winter Olympic sports, combining skiing with shooting. The introduction of rifles to this Winter Olympic sport challenges athletes to develop different skills than their colleagues. The book series The Science of Archery & Shooting Sports from Schottenbauer Publishing contains graphs and data relevant to the biathlon. Volume 2 of the series focuses on shooting sports, which is one component of the biathlon.

The following graph (Copyright 2014, All Rights Reserved) shows a trajectory of an extra-large foam bullet, which was videotaped in motion when fired from an air launcher. (Foam bullets were selected due to their slow speed, which could be analyzed using the scientific software typically available for high school and college students in the United States.) 

Discussion Questions

1. How far does the bullet travel? 
2. How high does the bullet travel?
3. What is the angle at which the foam bullet was fired, measured with respect to the horizontal axis?
4. What is the angle at which the foam bullet was fired, measured with respect to the vertical axis?
5. Does wind interfere with the trajectory of the bullet?

Additional graphs of shooting are available in the following books from Schottenbauer Publishing:

Graphs & Data for Science Lab: Multi-Volume Series

• The Science of Archery & Shooting Sports 
• Volume 1: Archery: Force & Video Analysis 
• Volume 2: Shooting Sports: Video Analysis

Anthologies of 28 Graphs

• The Science of Winter Olympic Sports 

Additional Information

Schottenbauer Publishing

Free Education Resources

The Science of Snow Sports

The science and math of snow sports are topics of new books from Schottenbauer Publishing. Presenting data from real and simulated conditions collected by the science writer and publisher M. Schottenbauer, Ph.D., these books bring the "high tech" end of snow sports to audiences everywhere!

In these books, students can enjoy learning about common aspects of snow sports. One series of books, written for elementary school students, focuses on geometry. Another series of science books features graphs and data; these illustrate common mathematical functions, plus a variety of concepts from physics. The science books can be integrated into classes such as math, physical science, physics, physical education, and health, anywhere from 7th grade through high school, as well as some introductory college and university classes. 

The books directly pertaining to snow sports include the following:

Geometry Workbooks

• The Geometry of Winter Olympic Sports

Graphs & Data for Science Lab: Multi-Volume Series

• The Science of Snow Sports 
• Volume 1: Force, Acceleration, & Video Analysis 
• Volume 2: Force & Video Analysis 
• The Science of Archery & Shooting Sports 
• Volume 1: Archery: Force & Video Analysis 
• Volume 2: Shooting Sports: Video Analysis

Anthologies of 28 Graphs

• The Science of Winter Olympic Sports 

These books are complemented by a series of science books on other popular sports topics, including Olympic sports, athletic training, exercise equipment, gymnastics, yoga, ballet, and more. Topics related to snow sports include:

Geometry Workbooks

• The Geometry of Gymnastics
• The Geometry of Yoga
• The Geometry of Ballet

Graphs & Data for Science Lab: Multi-Volume Series

• The Science of Athletic Training
• Volume 1: Force & Acceleration
• Volume 2: Biophysics
• Volume 3: Video Analysis 
• The Science of Exercise Equipment 
• Volume 1: Force & Acceleration
• Volume 2: Biophysics
• Volume 3: Video Analysis
• The Science of Gymnastics 
• Volume 1: Force & Acceleration
• Volume 2: Biophysics
• Volume 3: Video Analysis
• The Science of Yoga, Pilates, & Ballet 
• Volume 1: Force & Acceleration
• Volume 2: Biophysics
• Volume 3: Video Analysis

Anthologies of 28 Graphs

• The Science of Physical Fitness
• The Science of Gymnastics
• The Science of Yoga
• The Science of Dance & Ballet

Most of the books above are available in both English and German translation. The books pertaining to the geometry of Olympic sports are also available in 15 world languages. 

The same publisher offers similar books on additional popular topics, including sports, transportation, construction, environment, music, entertainment, and general physics. All of these book series are available in several formats and languages, including the following:

Geometry Workbooks

• Print & E-Book Editions
• Available in English & German
• Olympics Books Available in 15 Languages

Graphs & Data for Science Lab: Multi-Volume Series

• Print Editions
• Available in English & German

Anthologies of 28 Graphs

• Print Editions
• English Only

Additional Information

Schottenbauer Publishing

Free Education Resources

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