Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

My son is doing a project on if how you throw the basketball increase your percentage of baskets made. He is using the free throw, the granny throw, the football throw, and the one handed throw. Hypothesis is that the free throw will result in the most baskets. He is basically done the project but Is not sure what science principle he is proving. He says it is the law of gravity but I think he needs more than that. I am surprised the teacher approved this project because it does not make a lot of sense to me. Thank you

Hello and welcome to the forums!

I understand your concern about this project. There are a lot of variables involved which cannot be accurately controlled for. You would also needs lots and lots of data for the results to be meaningful. That said, what can we learn from this project? I don't think that gravity is relevant here, as each type of throw has the same gravity effect. So ask your son what is different about each throw? One thing that occurs to me is the biomechanics of humans and how they relate to accuracy. If you want advice on this subject, I may have to repost this question to our biological sciences experts. Another thing to consider is the skill level of the participants. The better the player gets the better certain shots will be. This is then an experiment about training, also not about physical sciences...

Let us know what you think and we can see what experts can help.
Keith

I agree that gravity is not a factor. His hypothesis was that the free throw shot would be more accurate and it was over all. However some shooters were more accurate with the one armed shot or the granny shot. He thought that all shooters, despite their skill level, would do best at the free throw and this was not the case. I think the arc of the ball may be an influence but that is impossible to measure. Please repost this for me, I am happy for any input we can get. Thanks!