The Physics of Sports

Geneva Middle School

25 February 2010

Physics explains

things that are very,

very small.

Fermilab Accelerator Complex

Tevatron,4 miles around

Main Injector,2 miles around

Physics explains things that are very, very large.

Physics explains things that are right in front of us.

Newton’s First Law

• Objects at rest remain at rest

• Objects in motion remain in motion

UNTIL YOU APPLY A FORCE

Newton’s Second Law

F = ma

What forces are important in sports?

Flight Path

The Home Run Swing

• Ball arrives on 100 downward trajectory

• Andre Dawson and Frank Thomas swing up at 250

• Ball takes off at 350

The optimum home run angle!

Courtesy of A. Nathan, University of Illinois. http://www.npl.uiuc.edu/~a-nathan/pob/

Newton’s Third Law

For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.

Conservation of Energy

Potential Energy

Kinetic EnergyKinetic Energy

Compression Energy

Heat and Sound Energy

Conservation of Momentum

If m1 = m2 , then v1 = v2

• Ball material, size, shape, and texture

• Properties of the club, bat, racquet, or stick

Equipment features

How fast can you throw a

ball?

Momentum transferredEnergy stored and released

David Rawlings, PGA Golf Professionalhttp://golflessonslondon.wordpress.com/

Hockey Slap Shot

http://ffden-2.phys.uaf.edu/211_fall2002.web.dir/Daniel_Lenord/vault.html

Pole Vault Progress

Air Resistance (drag)

FRICTION

Resistance & Friction

The Power of Spin

Spins in Figure Skating

Reaction Time

Downhill skier speed: 80 mph

Reaction Time in Baseball

Courtesy of R. Adair through A. Nathan.

Measure your reaction time…

Compare your reaction time…

Equation used: t = √((2d)/g)

Physical laws explain the world

• Newton’s Laws of Motion• Conservation of Energy• Conservation of Momentum

These laws help us explain everything about sports, but there is more to learn.

Physics really is everywhere!

Visit Fermilabwww.fnal.gov

• Buffalo viewing

• Bicycling

• Walking

• Roller blading

• Canoeing

• Fishing

Visit Fermilab

• Lederman Science Center

• Tours

• Saturday morning physics

• Ask a Scientist

On-line activities:ed.fnal.gov

The Physics of Sports