What physics concepts are used in the "Minute to Win It" game called "Puddle Jumper"?

Question

anonymous · Answer

http://www.nbc.com/minute-to-win-it/how-to/episode-237/puddle-jumper/

theeric · Answer

If that links has problems for anyone, it's also on YouTube.

I can't be sure if I'm getting all of them, but...

There's the force of air on the ping pong ball. This is all of Newton's Laws.
1.The ping pong ball will stay still until the outside force (air) accelerates it.
2. The acceleration is directly proportional to the net force and inversely proportional to its mass.
3. When the air hits the ball, the air is deflected back and the ping pong ball is pushed forward.

Gravity is always an issue.

Have you studied the Bernoulli Principle yet?

anonymous · Answer

Not yet. We're still on Motion. We're still learning basic Physics.

theeric · Answer

Okay! Well then, unless its a bonus, I wouldn't bother mentioning that. I bet the Three Laws of Newton are pretty solid, then! And so there are other forces that you wouldn't need to know about, too. Like the fact the water has some grip on the ping pong ball. I haven't studied that, either.

If you learned about projectile motion, then you do want to mention that - how the ping pong ball will arc and whatnot... But air resistance might not be negligible!