Thread: Project help?

Hello,

Sorry if this is the correct place to post this but the Physics section seemed more appropriate than other sections. First off, a bit about me: my name is Mason. I'm currently in high school and interested in ISEF (Intel Science and Engineering Fair). I'm come to this great community for some help. For my project, I plan to test how dimpling (like that of a gold ball) effects the aerodynamic ability of an object through the air. Through some background research, I've found out that hexagon shaped dimples provide the greatest efficiency as opposed to squares, triangles, etc.

But (sad to say this), I'm just now taking an interest in science and actually doing something about it (I've loved science my whole life but now I'm actually going about my love for it). I'm not sure about the whole process of writing up a research plan and the formality that it should be written in. I'm just kind of lost and I'm asking for some general help. Not so much with my project but the methods that I'll go about tackling my project.

I would love for this to be an active thread and I would also love to come back here often and post updates on the status of my project. (Possibly a good time for Google Wave? (on a side note, I have invites if anybody is interested.)). Anyway, any help would be appreciated. Thank you

EDIT:
Also, does anyone have a lot of experience formally creating a research plan then executing what you write? Any advice or tips?

Originally Posted by Silvershadow118

Hello,

Sorry if this is the correct place to post this but the Physics section seemed more appropriate than other sections. First off, a bit about me: my name is Mason. I'm currently in high school and interested in ISEF (Intel Science and Engineering Fair). I'm come to this great community for some help. For my project, I plan to test how dimpling (like that of a gold ball) effects the aerodynamic ability of an object through the air. Through some background research, I've found out that hexagon shaped dimples provide the greatest efficiency as opposed to squares, triangles, etc.

But (sad to say this), I'm just now taking an interest in science and actually doing something about it (I've loved science my whole life but now I'm actually going about my love for it). I'm not sure about the whole process of writing up a research plan and the formality that it should be written in. I'm just kind of lost and I'm asking for some general help. Not so much with my project but the methods that I'll go about tackling my project.

I would love for this to be an active thread and I would also love to come back here often and post updates on the status of my project. (Possibly a good time for Google Wave? (on a side note, I have invites if anybody is interested.)). Anyway, any help would be appreciated. Thank you

What is your specific project ?

Dimpling is a technique used to minimize the drag of bluff bodies as low to moderate speed in the air. It is limited to that regime.

Basically, it works pretty well for golf balls.

Is your project to be experimental or analytical ? If experimental, what experiments do you intend to perform and what instruments will you use ? Do you intend to produce and analytical model of some sort ? If so, based on what ?

The methods appropriate to your project will be dependent on your objectives.

I'm still kinda bouncing ideas around :?

I was told that I had a wind tunnel that I could use though I'm not sure how large it is. It's going to be an analytical experiment; I know that for sure. I'd use a high fps camera to collect my data.

Originally Posted by Silvershadow118

Hello,

Sorry if this is the correct place to post this but the Physics section seemed more appropriate than other sections. First off, a bit about me: my name is Mason. I'm currently in high school and interested in ISEF (Intel Science and Engineering Fair). I'm come to this great community for some help. For my project, I plan to test how dimpling (like that of a gold ball) effects the aerodynamic ability of an object through the air. Through some background research, I've found out that hexagon shaped dimples provide the greatest efficiency as opposed to squares, triangles, etc.

But (sad to say this), I'm just now taking an interest in science and actually doing something about it (I've loved science my whole life but now I'm actually going about my love for it). I'm not sure about the whole process of writing up a research plan and the formality that it should be written in. I'm just kind of lost and I'm asking for some general help. Not so much with my project but the methods that I'll go about tackling my project.

I would love for this to be an active thread and I would also love to come back here often and post updates on the status of my project. (Possibly a good time for Google Wave? (on a side note, I have invites if anybody is interested.)). Anyway, any help would be appreciated. Thank you

EDIT:
Also, does anyone have a lot of experience formally creating a research plan then executing what you write? Any advice or tips?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientific_method