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

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