Objective:
To roll a bowling ball around a course using a broom stick in the least amount of time.
Background:
The inertia ball event is an excellent way for students to really “feel” the effects of inertia on motion.
The Competition:
1. A course will be set up on the floor of the physics lab room.
2. Using a broom stick, a bowling ball will be pushed around the course from a starting line to a finish line, while avoiding obstacles.
3. Each time you go “out of bounds” you will receive a 3 second penalty (3 sec will be added to your time).
4. Each time you hit a piece of furniture (table leg, cabinet, etc.) you will receive a 3 second penalty (3 sec will be added to your time).
5. For each orange cone you hit you will receive a 3 second penalty.
6. The broom stick must remain in contact with the bowling ball at all times.
7. Your final time will be the actual measured time from start to finish plus any penalty time accumulated during the run.
8. Lowest time wins.
Materials:
All materials (bowling ball, broom stick, etc.) will be provided for you at the event.
Foothill Science and Engineering Association 