In the spirit of the Olympic Games, Unofficial St. Patrick’s Day and all that is college, we delved into the devious art of drinking games and devices. One only needs knowledge of high school physics — and maybe Physics 101 — to truly appreciate the skill and dedication involved in beer pong, quarters, flippy cup and the recently popular “Das Boot” drinking device.

Beer Pong

Although the rules of beer pong (Beirut to some) are ever-changing, the physics of how the ball actually makes it into the cup remain the same.

“If you throw the ball with the right angle and the right velocity so that it follows this (arced) path, it’ll go in every time,” said Professor Kevin T. Pitts, a physics professor at the University, referring to a diagram.

Given a known distance from arm to cup and an estimated arm angle, Pitts calculated an equation to solve for the necessary speed of the ping-pong ball to make it in the cup. “Pick an angle, and if you know how far D is, then there’s one V [speed] that will work,” Pitts said.

Don’t forget to bring your calculator, meter stick and probably a protractor to the next big tournament.

Quarters

The game of quarters involves the same physics as beer pong, Pitts said. However, he said that quarters is actually a harder game because of the quarter’s shape.

“Any slight variation in the angle at which (the quarter) hits the table can cause an increase in its rotational energy,” Pitts said.

If you can remember the concept of potential and kinetic energy from high school physics, this statement makes a lot of sense. For example, before a ball, like a ping-pong ball, is thrown, it has potential energy. After it is released, this potential energy becomes kinetic energy, and then potential again when it lands. In the case of the game quarters, however, one has to account for an additional force from the bounce. The bounce converts some of the quarter’s kinetic energy into rotational energy, which can cause it to ricochet in unpredictable directions. In order to make a cup, Pitts said, players have to throw the quarter at just the right angle, so rotational energy is at its minimum.

“To be any good at the game, you have to find the right angle and be able to reproduce again and again,” Pitts said.

And so like any sport, practice makes perfect.

Flippy Cup

The object of flippy cup is fairly simple: you have to flip a cup from one end to the other, making sure that it leaves the table in the process. And after consuming its contents, of course. The physics involved is almost just as simple. Flippy cup involves a force called torque, which is what causes an object to rotate, Pitts said.

“If you apply zero torque, the cup doesn’t leave your hand, and if you apply too much, it will make too many rotations,” Pitts said. Too many rotations will lessen the cup’s chance of landing upside down, and with too little, it won’t make it over. Additionally, if flipped too hard, the cup probably won’t land where you want it to.

“You want just enough force, because if you throw it too high, you’ll get hosed by air resistance,” Pitts said.

“Das Boot”

Although “Das Boot” doesn’t actually mean “the boot” in English, this drinking device is in the shape of an actual boot and often made of glass. Because of its unusual shape, the drinker has to turn the foot of the boot just before the liquid reaches the longest part in order to finish its contents. If this isn’t done, beer — or whatever is inside — will splash all over the drinker.

“Tilting it to the side allows for air to rush in and equalize pressure so that the liquid can come out,” Pitts said.