Blog Post #10

The Science of Bowling

(Post by Brandon)

I’m going to blog about the science of bowling this week. The science behind a bowling ball involves physics concepts like motion, force, friction, and rotational dynamics. Bowling balls can range from 6 to 16 pounds. The materials include things like polyester, urethane, or reactive resin. I personally own all these and I have one that is mixed with urethane and reactive resin. 

The weight distribution is really important and this ratio comes from the inside of the ball. As shown in the picture, there is a mold inside the ball to affect the rotation. This mold is called a core and it can be symmetrical or asymmetrical. This manipulation of the spin is because of inertia. Inertia is how much the ball resists changes in rotation. A higher moment of inertia means the ball will retain energy longer before hooking. 

The ball’s outer material, which is called coverstock, determines how it is going to react to the lanes. This reaction can be affected by something called an oil pattern. I’m pretty sure everyone knows there is oil on the lanes, but did you know that there are different patterns created? The normal pattern is called a house shot and this is the most common pattern. When it comes to sport play there are hundreds of patterns in bowling. To combat these various and difficult oil patterns, players have come up with sanding. Sanding means you’re sanding down your bowling bak to get more friction. I’ve sanded down many of my bowling balls and it’s helped me substantially. It allows you to have more control on the ball upon release. 

Jonathan G. Brown