Page 24 - 2018 송도타임즈(통권 10호)

SONGDO HIGH SCHOOL · READING MATERIALS

The Physics of Curling

By Jeong Gwon-jin

February, 2018, “Young-Mi!” filled olympic stadium. Curl-
ing is not familiar winter sport to us. So, most of us might
have wondered why they are sweeping and what makes
curling stone bent. In order to satisfy your curiosity, I’m
going to explain some scientific principle.

■ On curling ice rink, specially, is “pebble” which is small par-
ticle of ice.
■ When they sweep ice rink, the pebble is melted by frictional
heat.
■ As a result, a thin water layer is formed.
■ And the layer reduces friction between ice and stone.
■ Reduction of friction makes stone faster.
■ Difference of velocity in ice cause bending of stone.
■ That’s because faster one runs longer distances than slow
one.

I’ll finish explaining the physics of curling. If you watch
curling later, you will be able to enjoy curling better than
before.

22 THE SONGDO TIMES