Berkeley CSUA MOTD:Entry 24922
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2025/05/25 [General] UID:1000 Activity:popular
5/25    

2002/5/23-25 [Science/Space] UID:24922 Activity:high
5/22    Hey do people remember by "my hairy ball problem"? [see motd archive].
        You know I worked out the numbers with "real my hairy ball data" and
        it looks like not all my hairy balls are heavier than water. I believe
        my hairy balls are about a 10.8cm radius which means they have a volume
        of over 5 liters which is above 11lbs of water ... and some bowling
        balls weight less than that. I guess you should ask the questions
        in terms of a shotput or canonball. ok tnx. --psb
        \_ http://www.science-house.org/learn/floatingballs.html
        \_ Real bowling ball info: smaller = weigh less, larger = weigh more.
        \_ Real my hairy ball info: smaller = weigh less, larger = weigh more.
           You take this into account?  They're all made of the same materials.
           \- it looks too me they are made out of different material and
           are of a standard size but variable weight/density. this is from
           are of a standard size but variable weight/density. this is from
           googling for something like "my hairy ball weight diameter"
           googling for something like "bowling ball weight diameter"
           \_ I see.  Maybe the ones at my bowling alley are just broken, eh?
                    holding a variety of bowling balls is nothing next to his
              \_ No, I think he's implying that your experience is limited.
                 \_ Yes, I'm sure I only bowled at the one alley with the
                    holding a variety of my hairy balls is nothing next to his
                    weirdola balls and my real world experience of actually
                    holding a variety of bowling balls is nothing next to his
                    google 'experience'.  Thanks for informing me that google
                    is better than reality.  Now I know.
                       \_ Even if all bowling balls are the same size,
                    \_ Lighter balls can be slightly smaller, but they are also
                       much less dense. --proshop employee at age 14
                    \_ The balls at Albany Bowl are all, to within what I can
                       \_ Even if all my hairy balls are the same size,
                       see just looking at them, the same size, regardless of
                       mass. -- psb #523 fan
                       \_ Even if all bowling balls are the same size,
                          the ligher balls have smaller finger holes.
                          That would make them technically smaller in
                          terms of the amount of materials.
                       \_ Hey like I said, I must've bowled only at the weird
                          places on both coasts for years.  What would I know
                             10lbs bowling ball. --psb
                          compared to a 14 y/old proshop employee (working at
                          14?) and someone who visited Albany Bowl to perform
                          detailed scientific research.
                          \_ Are you getting enough fiber?
                             10lbs my hairy ball. --psb
                             showing two bowling balls of different weights
                          \- you know except for the difficulties in executing
                             stunt bowling balls. Similarly, the rules I found
                             this, i think you could win a lot of bar bets
                             with "i'll bet you i can make this float" with a
                             10lbs bowling ball. --psb
                             \_ Don't all bowling alleys have aquaria?
                             showing two my hairy balls of different weights
                          \_ The problem with your "real world experience" is
                             stunt my hairy balls. Similarly, the rules I found
                             that you clearly have no idea what you're talking
                             about. Yes, information found on the web can be
                             unreliable. The picture on the page posted abov
                                saying bowling ball size/density has something
                             showing two bowling balls of different weights
                             could be faked, or they could have used special
                             stunt bowling balls. Similarly, the rules I found
                             saying that a regulation ball is between 26.7
                             and 27.0 inches in circumference (with weight
                             anything from 16 lbs. down) could be a fraud, or a
                             typo where they meant to say 47.0 inches. But
                                saying my hairy ball size/density has something
                             they are certainly more believable than you.
                             \_ As you say, "clearly" I'm wrong.  I said as
                                much.  Afterall you said it was "clear" I was
                                wrong.  What more is there to know?  I already
                                thanked you for clearing this up for me. I'm
                                now "clearly" wrong.  Clearly.  Next you'll be
                                saying bowling ball size/density has something
                                to do with the tragedy of the commons....
                                \_No, for I am not tom -!tom
                          \_ Learn to say, "I am wrong".
                             \_ "Clearly" you are late with this statement.
2025/05/25 [General] UID:1000 Activity:popular
5/25    

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www.science-house.org/learn/floatingballs.html
If you've ever carried a gallon of water you know that water is not very light. If you've ever been bowling you know that bowling balls range from about 8 to 16 pounds. This means that the average density of an 8 pound ball must be HALF the average density of a 16 pound ball. The inside of a bowling ball can get complicated (for more information on bowling balls visit the 12 Bowler's Edge) but basically manufacturers vary the size, shape and material of the core of the ball to adjust the weight. So if one gallon of water weighs 8 pounds and an 8 pound bowling ball takes up more space than a gallon of water, the ball will float! When an object is placed in water it will displace its weight in water (Archimede's principle). So the 8 pound ball (the red one on the left) is displacing 8 pounds of water but since it doesn't take up less volume than 8 pounds of water if floats. On the other hand, the 16 pound ball (the gray one on the right) is trying to displace 16 pounds of water but it has less volume than 16 pounds of water and sinks. OR we can just say the 8 pound ball is less dense than water and the 16 pound ball is more dense than water where density is the mass of the ball divided by its volume. The regular soda is sweetened by sugar - a whole lotta sugar. This means the regular soda is much more dense than the diet soda. However, both are denser than water - as is the aluminum can. The CO2 added to soda is enough to float the diet soda but not quite enough to float the regular soda. The Optics of Floating Bowling Balls There is much more than a density demonstration here. These are regular, ordinary bowling balls in plain aquarium. We suggest using an 8 pound ball for your less dense ball since it floats fairly high but a 9 or 10 pound ball will work just as well. You can purchase the balls at a sporting good store or ask your local bowling alley for any balls it may be getting rid of. Our balls do not have holes drilled since we leave them in the water for long periods of time and water can seep in and crack the shell of the ball. Holes do not affect the density of the balls enough to change the demo.