Ask A Scientist General Science Archive

name         Sarah
status       student
age          16

Question -   What kind of collisions are present in bowling and how does the type of oil used on 
the lane affect the friction of the ball with the lane?
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Sarah,

In light of the manner in which the pins seem to quickly scatter and bounce when struck by the 
ball, the collisions might, at first study, appear to be elastic. In a frictionless environment 
with perfectly elastic collisions, neither the ball or pins would ever be damaged. Nor would 
they ever stop moving. Thus, the collisions are inelastic as evidenced by the damage (wear and 
tear) inflicted by the ball and pins on each other and by the fact that both ball and pins do 
ultimately come to rest.

Regarding the oil on the alley floor: Indeed, the composition (slipperiness) of the oil would 
have an effect on the frictional "grip" the ball has on the floor. If the alley was bare -- 
having no wax or oil on it -- the ball would get better traction than it would if the floor 
were exceedingly slick. The slicker the floor, the harder it would be for the bowler to send the 
ball in a curved path imparted by the spin he/she puts on the ball at the instant of release.

Regards,
ProfHoff 663
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Sarah,

I am not a professional bowler.  But I do believe that the oil is their to reduce the dynamic 
friction coefficient.  All this means is that they are trying reduce as much as possible the 
amount of drag (be it air resistance or frictional resistance from the lane).

The collisions are nearly purely inelastic.  Both pin and bowling ball are considered to be very 
RIDGID OBJECTS.

Darin Wagner
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