Investigating an aspect of physics that is relevant to ski jumping.
INVESTIGATING AN ASPECT OF PHYSICS THAT IS RELEVANT TO SKI JUMPING Aim: To investigate the effect of varying the perpendicular height of a ramp on the distance travelled by a marble, which has descended the ramp and has been projected in a horizontal direction. Prediction of the relationship between the height used and the change horizontal distance travelled by the spherical mass. I believe that height is directly proportional to distance squared. This means that if the height is doubled the distance will quadruple. Explanation of the prediction in scientific terms. The formula to work out distance travelled is simply = average speed/total time, however there are many other formula used in working these two out. First the speed, or velocity must be obtained. The velocity of the ball does not depend on the length of the ramp (if friction is discounted) but on the vertical height the ramp is set at or 'h'. Using previously obtained scientific knowledge I understand that GPE (gravitational potential energy) = kinetic energy. Therefore mgh (mass × gravity × height of ramp)=0.5mv2(0.5 × mass ×velocity squared). Due to there being mass on both sides of the equation it is mathematically acceptable to divide the mass out so the formula looks like so: gh = 0.5v2. Using simple mathematical techniques we can rearrange that formula to provide us with the following equation
Investigating the Physics of Bunjee Jumping
Investigating Bungee Jumping By Justine Hyu Abstract: The association of Hooke's law with elastic were investigated by hanging masses off an elastic cord, and measuring the extensions. A graph of the results was made to determine Hooke's constant which would later be applied to certain calculations. Then a model bungee jump was created to measure the motions and energies involved with bungee jumping. From the results gathered, calculations and predictions were made in order to provide the foundation of the construction, and properties of real bungee cords which could be applied when jumping off the Story Bridge. Aim: To investigate the factors and properties associated with a bungee cord, in order to design a suitable model bungee jump, which will be applied as the basis for an actual bungee jump attraction on the Story Bridge. Introduction and Background Information: This investigation into bungee jumping was initiated as a result of a company's proposal to construct a bungee jump attraction on the Story Bridge. Bungee jumping is a popular extreme sport which originated from the Pentecost Islands of Vanuatu, where the men tied vines around their ankles and jumped from a height as a test of courage. Today bungee jumping consists of an elastic cord secured to a platform and a variety of other equipment. Modern bungee jumping, with an elastic cord, demonstrates Hooke's Law
A-Level Physics Investigation:The Ski Jumper
A-Level Physics Investigation: The Ski Jumper Aim To find out how the starting position of a ski jumper affects the horizontal distance travelled in the jump. We will model the jumper and the ski slope as a ball bearing and a curtain rail. We will not take air resistance, friction and other various type of energy lost into account. However in practical we have to keep in mind that they do exist and causes variation in our results. Factors which affects the range: Changing the vertical height of drop from the slope ('h') would vary the range. This is because according to the law of conservation of energy, it cannot be made or destroyed but transferred. To apply this law into this practical, we can say all of the GPE (Gravitational Potential Energy) is converted into KE (Kinetic Energy) assuming no energy is wasted. As a result, GPE is equal to KE. Hence if mass (kg) and acceleration (ms-2) due to gravity remains constant, varying the height (metres) would directly affect the velocity (ms-1). mgh = 1/2 mv2 So we are saying GPE lost causes a gain in KE. Ultimately, the greater the height dropped the greater the velocity it has when leaving the ramp and consequently greater the range. With this theory, we can confidently say that changing the gradient would not make a difference to the range if the height remains constant. What will happen is that the object simply
Physics - how the launch height affects the horizontal distance a ski jumper travels from the launch ramp
Physics Coursework Aim: We planed and carried out an investigation to find out how the launch height affects the horizontal distance a ski jumper travels from the launch ramp. However we couldn't actually use a ski jumper so we used a ball to represent the ski jumper and a plastic ramp elevated by a table to simulate the ski jump. Preliminary Experiment: When we first started the investigation there were certain things that we had to choose from to make sure that our results in the final experiment would be as reliably as possible. These are as followed: Choice of ramp: Ramp 1.) Curtain rail (smaller ramp) (Cross section of curtain rail) Not to scale Ramp 2.) Plastic rail (larger ramp) (Cross Section of plastic rail) Not to scale We chose to use the plastic rail because at high speeds the balls easily fell off of the curtain rail. The diagrams show the differences between the two rails and how the ball moved more freely down the plastic rail. Methods of measurement: The distance that the ball had travelled had to be accurately measured to make sure our results were reliable. At first we just used two metre rulers and roughly measured how far the ball had travelled. However this was not accurate enough because the ruler may not have been directly at the point that we were trying to measure, it may have been slightly to the side of the ball. Shown in
Investigatin a ski jump
Investigating a ski-jump Aim:To investigate how the starting position of a ski jumper affects the horizontal distance travelled in the jump. I will not take air resistance, friction and other various type of energy lost into account, however in practical I have to keep in mind that they do exist and cause variation in my results. Introduction Ski jumping is a sport event that involves a steep ramp and a landing zone, where the skier has to travel as far as possible after leaving the ramp horizontally. When the skier is in motion in the air and the range it reaches is what I am investigating. This motion is called the projectile motion and the displacement, velocity and acceleration of the projectile are all vector quantities. Each of these can be placed into vertical and horizontal components. In my experiment, I will create a similar model of the ski jump using a plastic curtain rail as the slope and model the skier as a particle, in this case, a ball bearing. Diagram This is a diagram of the basic equipment setup This investigation has much room for expansion on the original above setup. The accuracy can be improved using a combination of more sensitive measuring equipment and a more accurate measuring setup. Background Knowledge Speed = Distance Re-arrange Time
Bungee Jumping
Bungee Jumping Bungee jumping originated hundreds of years ago in New Guinea. Men leaped from very tall wooden towers attached to the tower by vines tied to their ankles, it was originally used as a test of courage but has since been converted into a recreational activity and is seen to be a once in a lifetime thrilling experience. The sport is simple yet exciting; jumping from a tall platform i.e. a bridge or a crane whilst attached to a length of elastic chord. A lot of calculations must be done before a bungee jump to ensure the safety of the jumper. The chord must be exactly the right length to give the best (yet safest) possible experience. If the chord is too short the jumper may not feel the optimum thrill however if the chord is too long it would probably result in the jumper being killed as they would hit the floor (go splat). I am going to do an experiment in order to find the exact height a fixed weight figure would need to jump from - with a certain length chord - in order to stop them just before they hit the ground. One way to try to work out the correct launch height would be to use the laws of motion; The rate of change of momentum of a body is proportional to the resultant force acting on the body and is in the same direction, this would be difficult however as the force on the jumper is not the same throughout
Investigating the relationship of projectile range and projectile motion using a ski jump.
Investigating the relationship of projectile range and projectile motion using a ski jump. Introduction As we all know ski jumping is a worldwide sport in which athletes skate down a slope ramp, gaining speed that throws them in the air that makes them land some distance away. The distance travelled at the time when the jumper leaves the ramp, until he reaches the ground is known as the jump range. This interesting and challenging sport involves a lot of physics behind it. Kinetic energy, gravitational potential energy, motion, speed, height, time, distance and the athlete's ability to reduce air resistance to their body are all factors that determine the athlete's performance. This experiment represents a ski jumping slope through which we will investigate and demonstrate how physics can be used by ski jumpers to increase their range in the jump. Aim: My aim of this experiment is to explore the relationship between the launch height and the range of the jump. I will use the my knowledge of physics knowing that gravitational potential energy can be converted into kinetic energy and using the equations ?Egrav = mg?h for gravitational potential energy and Ek = 1/2 mv2 for the kinetic energy to work out the relationship between height, velocity and the range of the projectile. Hypothesis I predict that the higher ramp, the higher the velocity therefore an increase in
Ski trip 2002
Ski trip 2002 February the 15th, the Canada ski trip 2002 that would prove to be the most fantastic yet, finally began. The steamy coach rolled off leaving a hole in the sea of parents waving their arms in a sort of tragic joy. At the airport, after having our shoes X-rayed, we clambered on board the 767 and took our seats in a haze of excitement that would last the entire trip Half way through the flight the isles were congested with F.C.H.S boys. The thirty Year 10 girls in the upper part of the plane might explain it. An appropriate image would be the school canteen filled with hooting boys running back and forth. Upon arriving at the glorious Radisson Hotel, at 4am (GTM), we were treated to a sumptuous and 'ravishable' buffet which might have been appreciated if the entire group hadn't been half unconscious. By the time we had sat down to eat most people had lost the ability to speak and lay with faces in salad praying that rooms would be given soon. Prayers were answered; we were given our swarve swipe card keys and to bed we went. We rose early next morning as we would for the next five; it was time to ski. The rich blue skies of Canada were soon kissed by our destination, as we gazed out of the coach window to see Mont Sainte Anne basking in the sun with hypnotic stature. We left the coach in a hasty flow of eager mentalities and began a stroll on the snow to
Mes vacances de ski.
Mes vacances de ski En février, je suis allée avec mon collège à Schladming, en Autriche, pour faire du ski. Nous sommes partis de Winchester le vendredi. Nous avons voyagé en car jusqu'à Douvres, où nous avons pris le ferry à Calais. Nous sommes arrivés à Calais à environ dix heures. Puis, nous avons fait un voyage très long en car, en passant par la France, la Belgique, l'Allemagne et une partie de l'Autriche. Nous sommes finalement arrivés à notre hôtel à Schladming samedi après-midi. Nous avons déchargé nos valises du car et nous les avons mises dans nos chambres. Tout le monde était très fatigant, alors nous nous sommes couchés assez tôt. Le dimanche matin, nous nous sommes levés à sept heures. Quand nous nous sommes habillés, nous sommes allés en bas pour prendre le petit déjeuner. Une demi-heure après le petit déjeuner, nous sommes partis de l'hôtel pour les pistes. Le ski était excellent. Dimanche soir, nous sommes allés à un spectacle de ski. Ce n'était pas mal, mais le spectacle était dehors, et il faisait assez froid! Le lundi nous avons skié toute la journée. Le soir, nous sommes sortis pour jouer aux quilles. Le temps mardi n'était pas formidable, parce qu'il neigeait beaucoup, et c'était assez difficile pour voir. La neige était très bonne! Mardi soir, nous sommes allés nager. Mercredi après-midi nous
ski for your life
Ski for your life!!! It was a normal Italian Skiing holiday until something extraordinary happened! AVALANCHE! This is what everyone fears and on a ski resort they're quite uncommon, but never doubt the power of nature. I begin on the ultimate black slope, the slope everyone aims to get on but everyone fears. I get the weirdest feeling in my stomach, I feel it lift to the bottom of my throat and my jaws tighten, as I journey up the mountain in the rickety chair lift. I feel irresistible excitement. When I get to the top I know there's only one way down, although terrified, I know I have to do it. Half way down the mountains, someone slips away from our group, hits some ice, loses control and slips into a barrier at the side of the mountain. As they hit the fresh snow they cause an avalanche. Seeing the snow pummel down the mountain likes waves hitting cliffs. I don't know what to do; my body froze because for a split second I thought my life was over. My brain screams "move, move" but my body doesn't listen. I see five or six black dots half way down the mountain where the avalanche is heading. At first they don't really look like people, on closer inspection the dots move and have arms, legs and backpacks. Then I see a blue dot start down the hill, our instructor is going down to try and save the people. I am t hinking "how will he ever outrun it". He is now along side
