Longboarding Physics Alex Briestensky and J.P. Hajjar Science Fair Project Longboarding Physics Alex Briestensky and J.P. Hajjar

Statement of the Problem When we change the size of wheels on a longboard, which wheels will go faster? (65mm, 69mm, or 75mm)

Project Overview We did end up figuring out that our hypothesis was wrong, but over all our project turned out really good and we had a great time doing it. We now know that the size of wheels does really affect the speed of the longboard. We think that we should try to see if the softness of the wheels affect the speed too.

Research We learned that the bearings also affect the speed because if they aren’t clean on one run and they are on the next, then it can make a difference in how fast the wheels go. Then we found out that some wheels are made for carving and others are made for speed. Some wheels are softer than others.

Variables Independent Variable-size of wheels. (65mm, 69mm, and 75mm) Dependent Variable-amount of speed Control Variable-board used (with Gulwing trucks, Sector 9 deck, and Bone Red bearings.

Hypothesis If we used three different sized wheels on a longboard, then the wheel that are the smallest will get the most speed, because there is less friction.

Materials Longboard deck (32 in.) Trucks (drop through) Bearings (Bone Reds) Longboard wheels (fat free 65mm, in heat 75mm, and sector 9 69mm) Helmet Wrist pads Wrench (tighten wheels) Metal stick (take out bearings)

Procedure Plan out experiment Get bearings (put inside wheel) Get wheels (tighten wheels on trucks with wrench) Put on a helmet Put on pads Go to starting point Push of 3 times as you start (start the timer) Go as fast as possible by crouching down and maintaining your balance Ride through finish line (stop timer) Collect data

Photos

Data/Observations (Analyzes) Quantitative Observation: The In Heat Orangatang wheels had the best time of 8.22 Qualitative Observation: The Sector 9 wheels were not very fast.

Conclusion We discovered that our hypothesis was incorrect, the wheels that were the largest and heaviest went the fastest. (Orangatang In Heat (75mm) We also found out that the wheels that came with the board (sector 9) were not made for speed, they’re made for carving that’s why they didn’t go as fast as the others.

Applications and Recommendations We suggest you do a couple of practice runs before every set of wheels to get a feel for how they ride. We would also like to suggest you make sure your timing is perfect, so that none of your results are incorrect. Make sure all the wheels used are tightened at the exact same amount. Make sure the bearings are clean for every run.

Possible Experimental Errors When we used a timer, we could have been off when we started or finished. If the rider put more force on one push, and put less on the next. If the rider didn’t maintain balance and stay as low as the other times. If the bearings where cleaner on the wheels that were tested first, then the ones after wouldn’t go as fast.

Works Cited "Longboard Wheels." Longboard Wheels. Web. 12 May 2011. <http://www.longboardwheels.net/>. The Longboard Store. Web. 12 May 2011. <http://thelongboardstore.com/>. "Longboarding Info - Longboard Skateboarding - How to Ride a Longboard, Tricks, Reviews, News, More." Skateboarding | Skateboard Trick Tips, Pro Skaters, Skateboard Reviews, Skateboard Help and More about Skateboarding! Web. 12 May 2011. <http://skateboard.about.com/od/boardscience/Longboarding_Info. htm>.