Creative Minds
Investigate!
Skateboard Surfing
The skill of balancing is very important in sports such as
surfing and skateboarding. The successful boarder must
exploit the forces of friction, gravity and motion in order to
perform tricks and stay upright.
Using a skateboard or model you will perform a variety of activities to
explore the effects of force on boards and how they can be
manipulated.
You have
A skateboard, measuring equipment, cardboard, straws, paper fasteners, etc. weights.
Flat boards or mats, books, protractors.
Activity
If a real skateboard is not available, make a model one from cardboard, wheels can be
made from card too, or use cotton reels or wheels from other construction kits.
You will first need to find a way to measure the average speed of your skate board.
Remember Speed = distance / time
What units will you use to measure speed?
How will you ensure that your skateboard will always be launched with a constant
force?
Whenever you perform a test only change one variable at a time.
1. How does the weight on a board affect performance?
Push the board along the floor with no weight on. ( A balloon bow- balloon tied between
2 chair legs can be used to provide a constant force)
Measure distance travelled or speed.
How does this vary as the weight on the board is increased?
Do you think the position of the weight on the board will affect the board at all? Does the
shape of the weight affect the board?
2. How does the angle of a ramp affect the time a board stays in the air?
Construct a ramp using boards or mats. Make sure that you can alter the angle of
elevation of the board from 0° to 90°. (You may have to experiment with different
thickness of books to achieve this.)
Keeping the force constant, propel the board up the ramp. Can you find the best angle
for the board to provide the longest flight of the board?
Is there a critical angle that is too steep for the board to travel up?
Which forces are acting on the board as well as the propellant force?
(Gravity and friction)
3. Friction is the force that causes the board to slow down
Definition In physics, friction is the resistive force that occurs when two surfaces travel
along each other when forced together. It causes physical deformation and heat build
up. Basically this causes the board to slow down.
The skater needs some friction to be able to control the board. However, can you think
Creative Minds
Investigate!
of any ways to reduce friction between the wheels and the ground?
Find a way to test your theory?
Useful Questions
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What materials are used to make skateboards? What properties should these
materials posses?
The top side of a skate board is often very rough, why do you think this is?
When a skater makes a jump, the board appears to be stuck to their feet in the air.
Why do you think this is?
Surf boards are a different shape to skateboards, why do you think this is?
Surfers attach themselves to their boards with an ankle strap. Why do you think this
is?
They also use wax on their boards, can you find out why?
Which part of the body controls your balance? Is it easier to balance on one leg with
your arms spread out or folded? Can you explain your answer?
How many different sports can you think of that involve balancing on the boards? On
land, sea or snow?
Research Opportunities
Can you design your own super skateboard? Decide what you are going to call your board
and what materials you will use to make it. Can you think of a way to reduce the friction on
the wheels but increase the friction on the surface? If you were to power your skateboard
how would you be able to control it?
Surfing depends on the size and strength of the waves. Can you find out where the best
beaches are in the world for surfing? What physical attributes do these beaches have in
common? What factors control the size of the waves?
Surfers often wear wet suits or dry suits in the water. Why is this? Can you find out how
these suits work in the water? Why is it important to keep warm in the water?
Useful Websites
This site will help you understand the forces in skateboarding
http://www.exploratorium.edu/skateboarding/
Find out about surfing on this site
http://www.exploratorium.edu/theworld/surfing
The Creative Minds project works with museums libraries and
archives across the Yorkshire region, to provide young people with
learning opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths
(S.T.E.M.). This ground-breaking project is the first of its
kind in the country and is managed by MLA Yorkshire. This
pack was developed by Creative Minds and Eureka! The
Museum for Children with funding from Yorkshire Forward.