Hooked on Science: Give me a holler

Materials

• Two tennis balls
• Tennis racket

Instructions

• STEP 1: Using the tennis racket, hit one of the tennis balls without making a noise.
• STEP 2: Make observations of the tennis ball to provide evidence that a pattern can be used to predict the future motion of the ball.
• STEP 3: Using the tennis racket, hit the other tennis ball. This time, make an intense noise while hitting the tennis ball.
• STEP 4: Make observations of the tennis ball to provide evidence that a pattern can be used to predict the future motion of the ball.

Explanation

The tennis ball hit while making an intense noise will go a greater distance. Engaging your lungs and your trachea or windpipe can give you more power. Some scientists say this allows you to concentrate and causes a surge in adrenaline, allowing you to apply more force, increasing the speed of the ball and causing the ball to go a greater distance.