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

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