What is Bowling: Definition and 115 Discussions

Bowling is a target sport and recreational activity in which a player rolls a ball toward pins (in pin bowling) or another target (in target bowling). The term bowling usually refers to pin bowling (most commonly ten-pin bowling,) though in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth countries, bowling could also refer to target bowling, such as lawn bowls.
In pin bowling, the goal is to knock over pins on a long playing surface known as a lane. A strike is achieved when all the pins are knocked down on the first roll, and a spare is achieved if all the pins are knocked over on a second roll.
Lanes have a wood or synthetic surface onto which protective lubricating oil is applied in different specified oil patterns that vary ball path trajectories and characteristics. Common types of pin bowling include ten-pin, candlepin, duckpin, nine-pin, five-pin and kegel. The historical game skittles is the forerunner of modern pin bowling.
In target bowling, the aim is usually to get the ball as close to a mark as possible. The surface in target bowling may be grass, gravel, or synthetic. Lawn bowls, bocce, carpet bowls, pétanque, and boules may have both indoor and outdoor varieties.
Bowling is played by 100 million people in more than 90 countries (including 70 million in the United States alone), and is the subject of video games.

View More On Wikipedia.org
  1. pinball1970

    Remembering a Legend in Bowling: RIP at 52

    A legend in bowling. A very sad loss, 52 is a young age for a great sportsman. RIP Edit. I remember watching this and thought, how the f what the hell? How did it ... I think everyone did
  2. I

    Bowling Ball is rolled down a steep hill

    I have no idea how and what to do.
  3. M

    Exploring the Physics of Spinning Astronauts with Bowling Balls

    Consider this scenario: two astronauts are floating in outer space with no other frame of reference other than themselves. Relative to one another they are stationary and have no motion between them, except that one astronaut is spinning at one revolution per second. The astronaut that is...
  4. enthusiast

    Mechanics: A bowling ball is thrown and rolls with slipping

    Summary:: A bowling ball is thrown on a bowling lane with the coefficient of friction ##\mu## with an initial velocity of ##v_0## and no rotation. After hitting the ground, it starts rolling with slipping. After how much time after hitting the lane will the ball stop slipping? What will be its...
  5. Automatic Strike Bowling Ball

    Automatic Strike Bowling Ball

    You don't need to be good at bowling if you're good at engineering.
  6. S

    Tension and speed of bowling ball pendulum passing the equilibrium position

    For part a I used conservation of energy. -m*g*cos(θ)*L+1/2*m*0^2=-m*g*L +1/2*m*v^2 => v = sqrt(2*g*L(1-cos(θ )). b) For b I was think that T = mg in the equilibrium point but that doesn't invole θ in the answer. So that's why I tought that T*cos(θ ) = mg. So that the tension is mg/cos(θ). But...
  7. H

    I Measuring Mass of a Bowling Ball Dropped into a Black Hole

    In a recent thread we discussed the idea that an object slowly dropped into a black hole, can have its rest mass recovered, as energy, if slowly brought to a halt at the event horizon. Once the object is dropped, it would be unrecoverable, and the BH would gain no new mass. I am under the...
  8. Curtiss Oakley

    Bowling Ball Changing Rotational Direction

    I already have a and b, but want to see if anyone is willing to verify my answer for part c. I get 0 for the frictional force between the ground and ball, which would lead d and e to be 0 as well. Physics is rarely that easy so I wanted to make sure I didn’t miss anything.
  9. M

    Problem set involving Momentum and bowling balls

    Homework Statement Say you're bowling and you roll the ball down the lane. The bowling ball has just knocked the first bowling pin forward and that pin's forward velocity is now much larger than the bowling ball's velocity before their impact. How can the pin travel forward faster than the ball...
  10. P

    Bowling Ball rolling on a smooth floor

    Hi there! I chanced upon this problem whilst trying to brush up my Classical Mech knowledge and found it confusing. Hope someone out there can provide an insight! Homework Statement A bowling ball of mass m and radius R sits on the smooth floor of a subway car. If the car has a horizontal...
  11. FallenApple

    Rolling Bowling Ball with backspin

    Ok so a ball starts moving to the left while the rotation is clockwise, hence the backspin. On this surface there is friction. So clearly as the ball moves to the left, there is Kinetic friction to the right slowing down the Vcm and the spin as well. So assuming that the initial backspin is...
  12. H

    Solving Motor Braking Circuit Problem in Bowling Industry

    I have been doing a lot of reading online concerning this circuit but having little luck in my dilemma. I work in the bowling industry the machines use 1/3 HP 115 v single phase induction motors. FLA on these motors is 6 Amp. These motors use capacitors 480-520 MF for braking. This braking...
  13. P

    Rotational Motion of a bowling ball

    Homework Statement A bowling ball is released with speed V and no rotational kinetic energy. After a period of sliding and rotating, the ball enters pure rotational motion. The coefficient of friction between the ball and the ground while sliding is Uk. a. Show that the rotational acceleration...
  14. R

    Spring compression of a bowling ball

    Homework Statement A 5 kg bowling ball moves at 10 m/s on a flat and frictionless surface. It hits a massless bumper with a spring constant of 100 N/cm. How far (in cm) will the spring compress? Homework Equations |F| = |kx| Fnet = ma The Attempt at a Solution This is mostly a plug and chug...
  15. x2017

    What impulse must act on the bowling ball to stop it?

    Homework Statement [/B] A 10kg bowling ball is moving with a velocity of -3m/s. a) What is the momentum of the bowling ball? b) What impulse must act on the bowling ball to bring it to a stop? Homework Equations momentum=mv impulse=ΣFΔt ΣFΔt=mΔv The Attempt at a Solution a) momentum = mv...
  16. E

    Speed of bowling ball involving speed of sound

    Homework Statement A bowling ball traveling with a constant speed hits the pins at the end of a bowling lane 16.5 m long. The bowler hears the sound of the ball hitting pins 2.5 s after ball is released from his hands. What is the speed of ball, assuming speed of sound is 340 m/s? Homework...
  17. Anama Skout

    A juggler throws a bowling pin straight up in the air....

    Homework Statement A juggler throws a bowling pin straight up in the air. After the pin leaves his hand and while it is in the air, which statement is true? (a) The velocity of the pin is always in the same direction as its acceleration. (b) The velocity of the pin is never in the same...
  18. TenPin

    Momentum, Inertia, and Deflection

    Hi, new here, so I hope I'm doing this correctly. I'll keep this question as brief as possible, but it requires just a bit of setup. I'm not an engineer or physicist, but do have a more than decent layman's understanding. I've lately become fixated on the game of bowling (ten pin), and have...
  19. kingsmaug

    How Long Does It Take for a Bowling Ball to Stop Sliding and Start Rolling?

    Homework Statement A spherical bowling ball with mass m = 4.3 kg and radius R = 0.102 m is thrown down the lane with an initial speed of v = 8.2 m/s. The coefficient of kinetic friction between the sliding ball and the ground is μ = 0.29. Once the ball begins to roll without slipping it moves...
  20. Y

    Center of Mass for a Bowling Ball

    Hey everyone! I recently worked through finding the moment of inertia of a cylinder with a cylindrical cavity off center, and I wish to further deepen my understanding of calculating the center of mass of such objects. So I made up the following problem: Homework Statement Find the center of...
  21. H

    Torque: stick resting on a bowling ball

    Homework Statement http://imgur.com/d0kW2Kr Homework Equations Net torque = 0 The Attempt at a Solution The work is done in the image. I only included the forces that were relevant to the answer. The answer is N = 0.983 Newtons. I have a feeling that my incorrect answer is due to the...
  22. dean barry

    Bowling Ball Problem: Is Friction Force All Absorbed in Rotation?

    A bowling ball is released with no rotation (linear KE only) at a given speed, the friction between the ball and the lane creates a torque which tends to rotationaly accelerate the ball, robbing it of linear KE and reducing the linear speed until synchronous speed is reached. My question is ...
  23. S

    Bowling ball sliding & rotating

    Relative equations: F_net = ma a = F_net/m f = N = _net/I Problem Statement: A spherical bowling ball with mass m = 6.50 kg and radius R = 0.680 m is thrown down the lane with an initial speed of v = 9.00 m/s. The coefficient of kinetic friction between the sliding ball and the ground is μ =...
  24. L

    Solving Rolling Bowling Ball Problem: Motion & Friction

    Hi everyone, this problem involves smooth rolling and translational motion: 1. Homework Statement A bowler throws a bowling ball of radius R= 11 cm along a lane. The ball slides on the lane with initial speed vcom = 8.5 m/s and initial angular speed w0 = 0. The coefficient of kinetic friction...
  25. N

    Weighing a bowling ball project

    In bowling, the ball will have a heavy spot marked as the center of gravity (cg). This will have an additional 1oz to 5 oz of weight to compensate for when the fingers are drilled into the ball. In bowling a dodo scale is used to measure the difference in static weight of the bowling ball...
  26. C

    How does external work affect the height of a bowling ball when pushed?

    Ok so when one drops a bowling ball hanging from a rope, it won't come back and smack him in the face. This I can understand, due to potential energy of gravity and conservation of energy. However when someone pushes the bowling ball, how can you show that it will rise higher than the original...
  27. M

    Bowling ball goes from sliding to rolling

    Homework Statement A bowling ball is thrown down the alley with speed ##v_0##. Initially it slides without rolling, but due to friction it begins to roll. Show that its speed when it rolls without sliding is ##\frac{5}{7} v_0##. Homework Equations ##K= \frac{1}{2}mv^2 + \frac{1}{2} I...
  28. D

    What is the work of a moving bowling ball?

    Homework Statement A bowling ball of 7.21kg is thrown, it has an initial velocity of 12.5m, if his mouvement happens over 1.24m, what is the work of the bowling ball. Homework Equations W = FΔd W = F (Cos∅)Δd The Attempt at a Solution I think this is a trick question, but I'm...
  29. D

    Finding Initial Velocity to Solve Bowling Ball Speed Problem

    I've tried a few different equations but I'm not sure how to start this problem. I just realized I'm looking for the initial velocity since the speed of the ball is constant. A bowling ball traveling with constant speed hits the pins at the end of a bowling lane 16.5 m long. The bowler hears...
  30. F

    What is the Initial Energy of a Rolling Bowling Ball?

    Homework Statement Homework Equations Wnon-conservative forces = ΔEnergy The Attempt at a Solution I understand that I am to solve for the D in Wnon-conservative forces since I know the friction force. I am just having trouble understanding what the initial/final kinetic...
  31. M

    Bowling balls rolling up a ramp (conservation of energy)

    This is from an old course I took. I'm not sure what I'm doing incorrectly. Homework Statement Two identical bowling balls are rolling on a horizontal floor without slipping. The initial speed of both balls is V = 9.9 m/s. Ball a encounters a frictionless ramp, reaching a maximum height...
  32. PhizKid

    Angular Momentum and Point of Application in Rolling Motion

    Homework Statement Homework Equations Angular momentum The Attempt at a Solution So I have my work shown in the two pictures. rm, rf denote the position vectors to the center of mass and point of application of force respectively (with respect to the chosen origin of...
  33. B

    Elastic collision between bowling ball and tennis ball

    Homework Statement 9.6 A table-tennis ball is thrown at a stationary bowling ball. The table-tennis ball makes a one-dimensional elastic collision and bounces back along the same line. Compared with the bowling ball after the collision, does the table-tennis ball have (a) a larger...
  34. D

    Velocity of the bowling ball- projectile motion

    Homework Statement Tony has a tendency to drop his bowling ball on the floor at the completion of his follow-through swing. Tony let's the ball go when the ball is 0.28m above the floor. If the ball travels a horizontal distance of 1.80m before you hear a "thud", with what velocity did Tony...
  35. P

    Kinetic Energy of a Bowling Ball

    Homework Statement A bowling ball of mass 7.2 kg and radius 9.1 cm rolls without slipping down a lane at 3.0 m/s. What is the total kinetic energy of the bowling ball? Homework Equations KE rot. = 1/2 Iω^2 The Attempt at a Solution KE initial = 0 J (I'm assuming it started from rest). I...
  36. C

    Calculating Final Velocity of a Bowling Ball

    Homework Statement A spherical bowling ball with mass m = 3.2 kg and radius R = 0.112 m is thrown down the lane with an initial speed of v = 8.1 m/s. The coefficient of kinetic friction between the sliding ball and the ground is μ = 0.32. Once the ball begins to roll without slipping it...
  37. T

    Bowling ball rolling, going up a ramp, and continues rolling.

    Homework Statement A bowling ball of mass 2.2kg is rolling along a track at 3.2m/s when it reaches a ramp angled at 55°, The ball rolls up the ramp to the top where the track levels out again, and the ball rolls at 0.3 m/s. How long is the ramp? mass = 2.2kg v1 = 3.2 m/s v2 = 0.3 m/s...
  38. M

    Rotational And Translational Motion Of A Bowling Ball

    Homework Statement A spherical bowling ball with mass m = 3.4 kg and radius R = 0.115 m is thrown down the lane with an initial speed of v = 8.5 m/s. The coefficient of kinetic friction between the sliding ball and the ground is μ = 0.27. Once the ball begins to roll without slipping it moves...
  39. U

    Three dimensional collision with bowling ball and pin.

    Homework Statement In order to convert a tough split in bowling, it is necessary to strike the pin a glancing blow as shown in the figure. Assume that the bowling ball, initially traveling at 15.0 m/s, has eight times the mass of a pin and that the pin goes off at 75° from the original...
  40. B

    Bowling ball dropped into water, find velocity as it strikes the bottom

    Homework Statement A bowling ball is dropped from a boat so that it strikes the surface of a lake with a speed of 25 ft/s. Assuming the ball experiences a downward acceleration of a=10-.9v2 when in the water, determine the velocity of the ball when it strikes the bottom of the lake...
  41. M

    Finding the Angle of a Bowling Ball Ramp Problem

    Homework Statement There is a bowling ball traveling down a ramp. The ball starts resting. The ramp's hypotenuse is 8.5 meters long and is across from a 90 degree angle. The average time it takes the ball to travel down the ramp is about 5.0243 seconds. We can assume a=9.81m/s^2. What is the...
  42. M

    What is the angle made by the ramp and the floor in a bowling ball problem?

    I'm having a lot of trouble with the problem for my AP Physics Class There is a bowling ball traveling down a ramp. The ball starts resting. The ramp's hypotenuse is 8.5 meters long and is across from a 90 degree angle. The average time it takes the ball to travel down the ramp is about...
  43. K

    Physics of a Spinning Bowling Ball

    I'm going to simplify this situation so I can hopefully better understand what is going on. A bowling ball is given a certain initial rotational velocity and a certain initial linear velocity when thrown down a bowling lane. If everything needed to solve this problem is given, such as radius of...
  44. J

    The Heisenberg Uncertainty of Bowling Balls

    I was recently thinking about the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle which states that we can not know a subatomic particle's position and momentum at any instant. We can know one or the other measure but not both at the same time. The more we know about one, the less we know about the other...
  45. P

    Calculating Speed of Bowling Ball Down Incline

    Homework Statement a bowling ball with a mass of 5.45kg and a radius of .191m starts from the rest at a height of 1.8m and rolls down a 22.3m slope. what is the translational speed of the ball when it leaves the incline. Homework Equations E=mgh +1/2mv^2+1/2Lw^2 The Attempt at a...
  46. M

    Terminal velocity of 20 lb bowling ball at 40,000 feet

    I am looking for an estimated terminal velocity of a 20 lb bowling ball falling through 40,000 feet. I have looked at the equation, but am not sure what to use for the drag coefficient. Thanks for any help.
  47. M

    Solving Ten-Pin Bowling Physics with Proportional Signs

    i know this is really simple, but I'm not very good at working with proportional signs.. a novice ten-pin bowler, slightly "lofts" the ball (releases it too late and lifts it into the air so that it crashes to the ground. If the ball was released with a velocity of 3.5 m/s at an angle of 15...
  48. J

    Bowling: What's the effect of rotation of the ball has on the pin action?

    Does more rotation of the bowling ball result in faster pin? Here's my understanding, please check my physics. The ball has 2 forms of energy, kinetic due to its momentum and rotational due to its angular momentum. When it hit the pin, there're transfer of energy. The pin will pick up...
  49. N

    Finding the speed of a bowling ball based on the length of the lane and sound.

    Homework Statement A bowling ball traveling with constant speed hits the pins at the end of a bowling lane 16.5 m long. The bowler hears the sound of the ball hitting the pins 2.60 s after the ball is released from his hands. What is the speed of the ball? The speed of sound is 340 m/s. Answer...
  50. R

    Solving a Physics Problem with a Bowling Ball

    Homework Statement Students are playing with the 4.13 kg bowling ball hung from the ceiling of the classroom. When at rest, it hangs 0.63 m above the floor. The cord is 1.87 long. The students pull the ball up and to the side and then let go. It swings back and forth like a pendulum. The...
Back
Top