Let’s Investigate......
Ball Spin
Teachers
Why not book a workshop?
Teacher Notes
Learning objectives
How to plan a fair test and obtain evidence by observation and measuring.
How to communicate results using tables, graphs and diagrams.
How to draw conclusions from evidence and evaluate the methodology used.
To use ICT to model a classroom science investigation.
To understand that air resistance is a frictional force which slows down moving objects.
Vocabulary
Air resistance, force, friction, gravity, rotation, weight
Cross curriculum links
Mathematics, Art, English and PE
Workshop
Egg drop, rockets, and flyer workshops are bookable both at Intech and at your school.
These workshops focus on forces and in particular gravity and air resistance.
See website for details.
AA
Ball Spin Investigation
8/12
Ball Spin
Try this...
Questions
Move the angle
of the launcher.
Fire the ball. Did
you score a goal?
Move the angle
of the launcher, press spin right. Did
you score a goal?
Move the angle of the launcher, press
spin left. Did you score a goal?
Did you score a goal?
Is it helpful to keep moving
the launcher and then changing the
spin?
What would be a more scientific way
to go about this activity?
Watch the slow motion film and see how
the ball moves through the air.
How a bowler in cricket can put spin on a ball
The seam of the ball and the way he holds it helps him to do this. Here is the
science behind what happens. Imagine the air rushing past the ball as it
moves through the air. A spinning ball makes a thin layer of air
spin with it.
The air on top of the ball is moving faster than the air below.
Fast-moving air has lower pressure . The pressure below the ball
is greater which pushes the ball up. This will cause the ball to
spin as it moves forward.
Things to do back at school
Find out more about balls used in sport. Their size, shape, materials
used, whether they are hollow or solid.
Collect pictures of games that use these balls.
Make a display about different balls used in sport.
AA
Ball Spin Investigation
8/12
Let’s Investigate......
Which balls bounce best?
Design an investigation to see how the height from which you
drop a ball affects how high it bounces.
Predict which balls will bounce best.
Things to think about.
Number the balls from best to worst.
How will you make it a fair test?
The bounce height may be difficult to measure.
How many times should you record the results?
There is an example of a results table below.
Ball
Dropping Height in m
How will you show your
results?
Bouncing Height in m
What have you found out?
Is there a pattern in your results?
Is this a fair test?
In a table.
On a graph
In pictures or photographs
Useful
The higher you raise a ball the more energy you give it. This energy is called
information potential energy. The potential energy is the stored energy because the ball
has been lifted from the ground by you.
You can work out the energy using the equation below.
Energy in joules = distance from the ground (m) X force used (Newton)
Force used = the ball’s weight. This can be measured with a force meter. You can use ordinary scales and
multiple the Kg by 10 to get the weight of the ball.
AA
Ball Spin Investigation
8/12
Let’s Investigate......
Does the surface the ball bounces on affect the
bounce height?
Design an investigation to see how the surface the ball bounces
on affects how high it bounces.
Predict which surface will cause the ball to bounce highest.
Things to think about.
Number the balls from best to worst.
How will you make it a fair test?
What height do you think would be the best to drop the ball from?
The bounce height may be difficult to measure. You may need to do several readings. You
may need to do several readings. A video camera or camera may help you record your
results.
How many times should you record the results?
There is an example of a results table below.
Ball
Surface
Bouncing Height in m
Concrete
P.E mat
Grass
How will you show your
results?
What have you found out?
Is there a pattern in your results?
Is this a fair test?
In a table.
On a graph
In pictures or photographs
Useful Information.
When the ball is raised above the ground you give it potential energy. As the ball
drops the energy is converted to kinetic (moving) energy. When the ball hits the
ground energy from the ball is lost as heat and sound. The louder the sound the
more energy the ball has lost. Some of the energy is also absorbed by the surface.
AA
Ball Spin Investigation
8/12