The Hidden Physics Equations in Bowling with Neil deGrasse Tyson & Dr. Dave Alciatore

How do you bowl a perfect 300? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-hosts Chuck Nice and Gary O’Reilly discover Euler’s Equations of Motion and the cheat codes to bowling and the physics of bowling balls, pins, and more with physicist Dr. Dave Alciatore. Has this ever happened to you: You’re bowling and throw a ball perfectly straight down the lane, it looks like it’s going to be a strike when all of a sudden it starts to curve? We break down the forces acting on the bowling ball and the gyroscopic effects that make the ball spin. How do you get a strike? What is the optimal angle to get one? How do you bowl a perfect 300? Did mathematician Leonhard Euler bowl? Discover the effects of the oil patterns on the lane and how it affects the ball’s friction over the course of a game. What would happen if you didn’t oil the lane? We talk about how players utilize the oil patterns to their advantage. Learn about the gyroscopic effects on the bowling ball as it heads down the lane. What is a bowling ball made of? Find out how the materials impact the ball’s movement and give bowling some really unique physics. We discuss different bowling styles and which ones seem to work best. How rare is scoring a 300? Has Dr. Dave ever bowled a perfect game? All that, plus, Chuck invents his own new type of bowling. Thanks to our Patrons Shivam Gagad, Arnav, Madalina, Amy A., Ryan Fawley, Ashley Grace, Junior Verhelst, Dominique Monroe, Mai, and Kay Trajkovski for supporting us this week. NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free. Get the NEW Cosmic Queries book (5/5 ⭐s on Amazon!): https://amzn.to/3dYIEQF Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/startalkradio FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE to StarTalk: Twitter: http://twitter.com/startalkradio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StarTalk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startalk About StarTalk: Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up! #StarTalk #NeildeGrasseTyson 0:00 - Introduction 6:47 - The Physics Of A Curve Ball 9:02 - The Physics Of Different Ball Types 11:06 - How To Convert A 7-10 Split? 14:33 - Does Speed Alone Make A Good Bowler? 15:35 - Will A Lighter Ball Hurt Your Game? 16:27 - Does The Spin Of A Ball Help Your Game? 18:55 -Why Are The Lanes Oiled? 21:17 - Can You Read Oil Patterns To Improve Your Game? 27:29 - What Is A Weight Block In A Bowling Ball? 28:49 - What Happens If You Don’t Oil The Lane? 29:54 - Is The ‘Bugs Bunny Shot’ Real? 31:41 - What Would Happen If A Bowling Ball Was Mounted On Its Axis And Spun? 34:06 - The ‘Two-Handed’ Throw 34:59 - What Is A Fingertip Grip? 37:00 - Are Bowling Shoes Special? 40:10 - How Do Bowling Pins Hold Their Integrity? 41:20 - How Rare Is A Perfect 300? 42:56 - Dr. Dave’s Bowling Track Record 45:01 - The Marks On The Lane That Help You Aim 47:35 - Has Anyone Tried To Change The Rules Of Bowling? 50:02 - Closing Notes