Curling Stone Curl: Pebbled-Ice Friction and Sweeping Lab |…

What is Curling Stone Curl?

The curling stone's motion on the ice surface is governed by the interplay between gravity, friction, and the rotational energy of the stone. Pebbled-ice creates a textured surface that significantly affects the sliding properties of the granite stone.

Sweeping the path in front of the stone lowers its friction with the ice, allowing it to travel further and curve more than an unswept stone.

How Pebbled-Ice Affects Friction

The pebbled-ice surface is designed to provide a balance between smoothness for sliding and texture that allows for controlled friction. This unique surface creates a complex interaction where the stone's motion is influenced by both static and kinetic friction.

The 24-point contact-ring model used in the simulation accurately captures these interactions, allowing for precise predictions of the stone's path.

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The Role of Sweeping

Sweeping the ice in front of a curling stone reduces friction by melting and re-freezing a thin layer of water on the surface. This process can significantly alter the stone’s trajectory, making it possible to control its path with precision.

The effectiveness of sweeping depends on various factors including the speed of the stone, the intensity of the sweep, and the distance from which it is applied.

Stopping Distance and Curl Formulas

The stopping distance of a curling stone can be calculated using a closed-form equation that takes into account initial velocity, frictional forces, and rotational energy. The first-order curl formula provides an approximation for the sideways displacement based on these parameters.

These formulas are essential tools for understanding and predicting the behavior of curling stones in competition.

Frequently asked questions

How does pebbled-ice create different friction than regular ice?

Pebbled-ice has a textured surface that introduces both static and kinetic friction, allowing for more controlled sliding compared to smooth ice surfaces. This texture helps in managing the stone's speed and direction.

Why is sweeping so important in curling?

Sweeping lowers the friction between the stone and the ice by melting a thin layer of water, which then refreezes to create a smoother surface. This can significantly increase the distance and alter the path of the stone.

Can you explain the 24-point contact-ring model used in the simulation?

The 24-point contact-ring model simulates how the stone interacts with the pebbled-ice surface, taking into account the multiple points of contact and their varying frictional properties. This helps in accurately predicting the stone's motion.

How do stopping distance formulas apply to real curling games?

Stopping distance formulas are crucial for strategic planning during a game. They help players understand how much they need to sweep or adjust their shots based on the initial velocity and friction conditions of the ice surface.

Try it live

Everything above runs in your browser — open Curling Stone Curl: Pebbled-Ice Friction and Sweeping Lab and change the parameters while it is running. Nothing is installed, nothing is uploaded, the whole model lives in one tab.

▶ Open Curling Stone Curl: Pebbled-Ice Friction and Sweeping Lab simulation