Related Links

  • Science Fair Project Guide

Project Summary

Difficulty  7 
Time required Average (about one week)

Donate to Science Buddies

Sponsor

Sponsored by a generous grant from Northrop Grumman Foundation

Weightless Flights of Discovery
Program for Teachers
www.northropgrumman.com/
community/weightless.html

* Note: This is an abbreviated project idea, without notes to start your background research or a procedure for how to do the experiment. You can identify abbreviated project ideas by the asterisk at the end of the title. If you want a project idea with full instructions, please pick one without an asterisk.

Abstract

How much difference does the spiraling motion of a well-thrown football make on the distance of the throw (compared to wobbling, or end-over-end motion of the ball)? Think of a way to reproducibly produce the desired ball motion and launch it with a constant force to find out. (For more information on the physics, see Gay, 2004.)

Bibliography

Gay, Timothy, Ph.D., 2005. The Physics of Football. New York: HarperCollins Publishers.

Variations


Last edit date: 2006-12-11 18:33:11


Career Focus

science career image If you like this project, you might want to think about career opportunities in Aerodynamics & Hydrodynamics.

Humans have always longed to fly and to make other things fly, both through the air and into outer space—aerospace engineers are the people that make those dreams come true. They design, build, and test vehicles like airplanes, helicopters, balloons, rockets, missiles, satellites, and spacecraft. Learn more about this career: Aerospace Engineer.




Join Science Buddies

Become a Science Buddies member! It's free! As a member you will be the first to receive our new and innovative project ideas, news about upcoming science competitions, science fair tips, and information on other science related initiatives.


Support Science Buddies

If this website has helped you, won't you consider a small gift so we may continue developing resources to help teachers and students?

 



 

Science Buddies gratefully acknowledges its Presenting Sponsor
 
It's free! As a member you will be the first to receive our new and innovative project ideas, news about upcoming science competitions, science fair tips, and information on other science related initiatives.


Science Fair Project Home      Our Sponsors      Partners      About Us      Volunteer      Donate      Contact Us      Research Grants & Outreach      Site Map

Science Fair Project Ideas      Science Fair Project Guide      Ask an Expert      Blog      Teacher Resources      Parent Resources      Student Resources      Science Careers     


Privacy Policy Science Buddies

Copyright © 2002-2009 Kenneth Lafferty Hess Family Charitable Foundation. All rights reserved.
Reproduction of material from this website without written permission is strictly prohibited.
Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms and Conditions of Fair Use.