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Pumped Up! Determining the Optimum Air Pressure for a Soccer Ball

CSEF · 2005 Applied Mechanics/ Structures & Mechanisms/ Manufacturing

Daniel E. Brown · Bonita Canyon Elementary, Irvine

Overview

Objectives/Goals I wanted to determine how the amount of air pressure in a soccer ball affects the distance the soccer ball travels in the air when kicked and what is the optimum pressure for best performance. Methods/Materials Assemble slingshot. Launch the soccer ball with 2 pounds of pressure and measure the distance it travels. Repeat twice more at this air pressure. Next repeat 3 times each with the ball at 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 pounds of pressure. To get the coefficient of restitution, inflate the soccer ball to 2 psi. Someone stands on a chair and drops the ball from an 80 inch height. Measure the height of the bounce. This was repeated 3 times at each air pressure (2,4,6,8,10 and 12 psi). Calculate the coefficient of restitution by dividing the height of the bounce by the height of the drop. Materials: Size 3 soccer ball, air pump, low-pressure air pressure gauge, 25 foot measuring tape, air inflation needle. For Soccer Ball Launching Slingshot: One of the following:4ft. X 4in. plywood ½ in. thick, 4in. X 4in. wood 18in. long, 4in.X4in. wood 20in. long, 1 ½in. O hook, 1in. wood drill bit, ½in. X 4in. wood 36in. long, pad of heavy duty felt, gate latch, 1in. dowel 13in. long, box of wood screws 1 3/4 in. long, round door stop 2in. diameter. Two of the following:4in. X 4in. wood 9 ½in. long, 2in. X 4in. wood 41 ½ in. long, 1in. I hook, 1 ¼in. I hook. Three: Bungie cords 24in. long. Results The distance increased from 2 to 8 psi then began to decrease. My data showed that the manufacturer recommendation, 6-8 psi is actually the air pressure that will give you the best performance of the ball. Conclusions/Discussion The optimum pressure is 6-8 psi. If you put more air, the ball becomes harder but doesn't perform better.

Summary statement

My experiment was designed to determine the optimum air pressure of a soccer ball using the scientific method and launching the ball at incrementally higher pressures.

Help received

My older brother came up with design for ball launcher; Dad took me to buy lumber, helped me build launcher and took pictures; Mom helped cut all the paper for backboard.

Competition history

  • CSEF 2005 Applied Mechanics/ Structures & Mechanisms/ Manufacturing · Entry J0203

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