• Question: Why does a four-man bobsleigh travel faster than a two-man? Is it the extra push at the beginning or the fact that it is heavier? (or something else!)

    Asked by freddie to Adam, Geoff, Rob, Sheila, Suzie on 23 Mar 2011 in Categories: .
    • Photo: Robert Simpson

      Robert Simpson answered on 22 Mar 2011:

      I’m not sure – it must be the fact fact the bobsleigh has more mass and so feels the pull of gravity more than a two-man sled.

    • Photo: Adam Tuff

      Adam Tuff answered on 23 Mar 2011:

      I think perhaps because the heavier bobsled has more mass and greater momentum, so it can overcome friction more easily and travel faster.

    • Photo: Suzie Sheehy

      Suzie Sheehy answered on 23 Mar 2011:

      I don’t know! I think its probably a combination of those factors, but remember that acceleration due to gravity is the same regardless of the mass of an object! (At least in a vacuum).

    • Photo: Sheila Kanani

      Sheila Kanani answered on 23 Mar 2011:

      I think it is a bit of both! Both give them more momentum, hence more acceleration!

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