Frisbee Physics!!!!!!
Day 1 Directions: Move around to each station and complete the task. These stations will cover the physics of
Frisbees and prepare you for the next 2 days of Frisbee play outside!
Station 1:
Take a Frisbee and toss it (not very far) without spinning it. Next, toss it again and spin it while you do.
1) Which is easier to aim and keep in motion?
Take one of the coins and balance it on its side. Try to keep it up on its side.
2) Will the coin stay on its side? Why or why not?
Next spin the coin on its side and watch what happens.
3) Will the coin stay on its side while spinning? Why or why not?
4) Why is spinning the Frisbee important as a part of the sport?
Station 2: http://web.wellington.org/miller/How%20the%20Frisbee%20Flies.htm
1 ) Define Angular Momentum:
2) If you apply more spin to a Frisbee, what does it do for the stability of the Frisbee?
3) Sit in the chair and hold the large wheel…Spin the wheel fast and then turn it on its side.
What happens?
4) Is it easier to stay upright on a bicycle that is not moving, or a bicycle that is moving?
Station 3: Bernoulli’s Principle http://thephysicsofflight.homestead.com/frisbee.html
1) What is Bernoulli’s Principle?
2) Draw the diagram that explains how Bernoulli’s principle applies to a Frisbee.
3) What would happen if you tried to throw the Frisbee upside down? Why?
Station 4: Practicing Bernoulli’s Principle
Paper Blowing
1) Hold a piece of paper and hold it with both hands. Blow over the top of the paper.
What happens? How can you explain this?
Draw what is happening:
Soda Bottle
1) Blow in-between the space with the soda bottles setup. What happens? Why does this happen?
Hair Drier and Ping Pong Ball
Turn on the hair dryer and aim it up. Place the ping pong ball over the air flow and then let go.
1) What happens to the ball when you let go? Why?
Station 5: Watch the video and answer the questions: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENeU1FxVCBI
The history of the Frisbee…
1) How did the idea of the Frisbee originate?
2) What were Frisbees originally made of?
3) What 2 things does the spinning of the Frisbee provide?
4) How would get a Frisbee to turn left? Right?
Station 6: Angle of Attack http://web.wellington.org/miller/How%20the%20Frisbee%20Flies.htm
Look at the sheet of paper.
1) What is the angle of attack?
2) Draw the diagram that is on the paper.
3) What happens if your angle of attack is too great?
Watch the following videos:
Long Frisbee Throw: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9ehYwvu1OU
Dog Frisbee Throw: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtEcIQIsqHI
4) Which thrower had a greater angle of attack? Would this work well for a long distance throw? Why or why
not?