The Science of Pinball Machines

Science Application: Physics in Action

There are three main forces that change the motion of the ball.

1. First, the flipper starts the ball moving by applying a contact force directly to it. When the ball collides with the various elements within the pinball machine, contact forces change the ball’s direction of motion.

2. The ball rolls because of friction between the bottom of the ball and the cardboard box; without that friction, the ball would simply slide. No energy is lost to friction and all the energy in the spring is transferred to the pinball.

3. Finally, because the box is inclined (sloping), gravity slows the ball and then begins to speed it back down towards the flippers again.

-- Printed Images to reflect the theme

-- Compliment the theme with images or designs from the actual model

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​PLAYFIELD Accessories

--Ramps (Hot Wheels Accessories)

-- Bumpers (Coffee pods, pushpinsw/ rubber bands)

-- Popsicle stick designs

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​Decorating the Playfield

Left and Right Flippers

1 Plunger

Drain

Playfield

2 Slingshots

Target Banks

Chutes

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​Cardboard Pinball Components to Include:

YOUTUBE Video Link:

​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1zzyGhA4-g

​Pinball Is Not as Random as it Seems!

The Mechanics of Pinball

1) One purpose is to keep the pinball out of the drain.

2) To propel the ball up the table toward the bumpers and ramps in order to score points!

​Functions of Flippers

1)The flippers are usually located at the bottom of the playfield, directly above the drain.

2)The flippers are controlled with two buttons, one on either side of the machine to control the force exerted.

​Placement of Flippers

How to Play Pinball

• The pinball flies around the table, hitting bumpers and targets to score points.

• Otherwise, the ball falls down the drain and you move on to your next ball.

• When your third ball goes down the drain, your game is over.

• Each game mode allows three attempts.

​The History of Pinball Machines

• Pinball in its modern form was born during the Great Depression when Americans were looking for cheap entertainment.

• It was based on bagatelle, a French game whereby players maneuvered balls past metal pins into holes on the playfield.

• Since the first true pinball game, Humpty Dumpty, was released by Gottlieb in 1947 and revolutionized the industry by introducing the flipper.

• In 1942, pinball was banned in New York City, with several other major cities following suit, due to pinball’s relation with gambling.

• Pinball remained illegal in New York until 1976 when the ban was lifted after pinball was proven to be a game of skill in court.

Science Vocabulary Review

• We learned that inertia is when an object is in motion it wants to stay in motion and when an object is not in motion it wants to stay that way.

• We learned that the the more mass of the object the faster the  acceleration will be.

• The force of gravity helps with this because if you were playing pinball the ball wouldn’t go down to the game board. It would just float at the glass.

• We learned when there’s an action there has to be a reaction.

• A cause and effect relationship occurs when we see action and reaction. After the spring launches the ball is when it hits the bumper and it comes back down with more acceleration.

• Depending on the speed of the flippers and the impact on the marble ball, it can change how much force there is in the marble.

• Newtons 3rd Law of Motion states that "There is an equal and opposite reaction of every action".