What do curling stones weigh

Are all curling rocks the same size? Are all curling stones from Ailsa Craig? How much is a curling stone worth? Why do they scream so much in curling? What does the P in curling mean? How big are the curling stones at the Olympics? Where can I buy a good curling stone? What kind of rocks are used in curling? What kind of granite are the curling stones made of? Which is the best curling stone in the world?

Where are the curling stones made in Scotland? Why do they wipe the ice in curling? How heavy is a curling stone? How heavy is the stone in curling? What does rubbing the ice do in curling? A curling stone is the piece of equipment that curlers will throw during a game of curling. Each stone weighs approximately 42 pounds and are made of granite from Ailsa Craig, an island off the coast of Scotland. A plastic handle is attached to each curling stone for players to grip when they are delivering the stone.

During an end of curling, each team will throw eight stones, for a total of 16 stones. Curling stones are thrown down a feet long sheet of ice during a game of curling. After they are thrown, two other curlers sweep the stone as it travels down the ice.

At some arena curling clubs, the curling stones are also used to smooth out the pebble before curling begins. This is done to cut the top of the pebble for a flat, but textured playing surface.

If the ice isn't completely level, a blade may further dish the ice, but curling stones will not do that. Curling stones can be purchased from a few manufacturers in the world. Each of these manufacturers uses a different type of granite, but the resulting curling stone still weighs in at 42 pounds. Additionally, note that curling stones may or may not come with handles attached to them. If the handles aren't attached, you must purchase them separately.

First, granite for curling stones is harvested from a granite mine. These large slabs of granite are broken down into a smaller size such that curling stone 'templates' can be cut.

After the 'templates' are cut, stones are individually sanded and ground down to represent the shape of a curling stone. Next, the circumference of the stones are pitted with glass beads to better distribute the impact forces when the stones collide with one another.

Lastly, a plastic handle is attached to the stone via a screw. However, the prices are significantly lower for the 21 pound stones for children to throw. Note that some curling stones are sold without handles, so you may need to purchase them separately.

Curling stones, if taken care of properly, can last for more than ten years. One of the most common problems with curling stones is that they have trouble 'gripping the ice' as they age.

To remedy this, curling clubs will "paper the stones. According to the World Curling Federation, a curling stone must have a circumference no larger than 36 inches and must be taller than 4. This guideline is given because the manufacturing of curling stones isn't an exact science; each stone will turn out a little differently than every other stone.

This imprecision in manufacturing also explains why each curling stone behaves differently from all of the others. There are a few companies that sell curling stones.

Some of the top companies are the Canada Curling Stone Company and Kays of Scotland, both of which have produced curling stones for the Winter Olympics. Another common curling stone manufacturer is Thompson Rink Equipment. Note that when you purchase curling stones, they may come in sets of eight or 16, depending on the manufacturer. In general, the physics of curling hasn't been studied well but we do know that there is some friction between the curling stone and the ice.

This friction acts as a source of heat, which melts a small layer of the pebble. Since the front of the curling stone 'sees' the pebble first, it encounters a higher frictional force than the back of the curling stone.

The additional friction at the front of the curling stones allows the back part to move faster. This frictional force differential creates a velocity differential, thus allowing the stone to move laterally.

Since , curling stones used in the Olympics have been manufactured by Kays of Scotland, which come straight from the island of Ailsa Craig. If the ice were flat, the friction on the stone would be too high and the rock would not travel half as far. Pebbling was designed to mimic the natural snow and pebbles that were on the ice when curling was played outside. Sweeping in front of the stone reduces friction and helps the curlers control the amount of curl the stone undergoes.

The sweeping quickly heats and melts the pebbles on the ice leaving a film of water. This film reduces the friction between the stone and ice. The curling team is strategic in how much sweeping they do in front of each stone.

If they want a stone to travel farther with less curl, they sweep more. If they want more curl or shorter travel, they do less sweeping. The position of the sweepers is also strategic. The sweeper closer to the stone has more influence because the stone has more time to travel over the water film before it re-freezes. Curling is the only sport where you can change the direction of a projectile once it leaves the thrower's hand. Learn more about the science behind your favorite Olympic sports here!

Hannah Osborn is a lead product specialist for the Curriculum and Communications division where she is the contact for general operational responsibilities, manages and administers budget, procures vendors and contractors, creates content, and supports the writers, editors, and subject matter specialists within the division.

Prior to coming to the Smithsonian Science Education Center, Hannah worked in healthcare as a Prosthetist and Orthotist, where she provided braces and artificial limbs to patients.

In her free time, Hannah loves to travel anywhere and everywhere. She also enjoys watching and participating in sports, attending theater performances, and being outdoors hiking or camping.