3D bowling: strike the pins
A heavy ball rolls down a lane and knocks over ten pins. A 3D momentum and collision experiment for kids 6+.
3D
Age 6+10 min
Momentum & collisions3D scene
Loading simulation…
Drag to orbit the scene, scroll to zoom. Press “Run”.
What the experiment shows
A 6 kg ball heads for a triangle of ten pins. The hit gives momentum to the first pins and they pass it on.
How to run it
- Orbit the camera and press “Run”.
- In the editor change the ball’s speed and angle — how many pins fall?
- Make the ball light (1 kg) and compare.
Questions to discuss
- Why do the pins scatter sideways, not just forward?
- Which is better — a fast light ball or a slow heavy one?
The science
Momentum p = m·v passes to the pins at impact. A heavy ball gives away more momentum and barely slows down, so it knocks over more pins.
Try it at home
Set up plastic bottles in a triangle and roll a ball — compare tennis and basketball balls.
What to change in the editor
- Add another row of pins.