The Physics of Sports

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The Physics of Sports
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Tevatron, 4 miles around
Main Injector, 2 miles around
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Physics explains things that are very, very large.
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Physics explains things that are very, very small.
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Physics explains things that are right in front
of us.
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Newtons First Law

• Objects at rest remain at rest
• Objects in motion remain in motion
• UNTIL YOU APPLY A FORCE

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Newtons Second Law

• F ma
• What forces are important in sports?

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Flight Path
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The Home Run Swing

• Ball arrives on 100 downward trajectory
• Big Mac swings 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/
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Newtons Third Law

• For every action there is an equal and opposite
  reaction.

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Conservation of Energy
Potential Energy
Kinetic Energy
Kinetic Energy
Compression Energy
Heat and Sound Energy
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Conservation of Momentum
If m1 m2 , then v1 v2
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Conservation of Momentum
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Equipment features

• Ball material, size, shape, and texture
• Properties of the club, bat, racquet, or stick

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http//ffden-2.phys.uaf.edu/211_fall2002.web.dir/D
aniel_Lenord/vault.html
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Air Resistance (drag)
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FRICTION
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(No Transcript)
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Resistance Friction
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The Power of Spin
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Spins in Figure Skating
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Reaction Time
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Downhill skier speed 80 mph
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Reaction Time in Baseball
Courtesy of R. Adair through A. Nathan.
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Measure your reaction time
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Compare your reaction time
Equation used t v((2d)/g)
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Physical laws explain the world

• Newtons Laws of Motion
• Conservation of Energy
• Conservation of Momentum
• These laws help us explain everything
• about sports.
• Physics really is everywhere!

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Visit Fermilabwww.fnal.gov

• Buffalo viewing
• Bicycling
• Walking
• Roller blading
• Canoeing
• Fishing

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Visit Fermilab

• Lederman Science Center
• Tours
• Saturday morning physics
• Ask a Scientist

On-line activities www-ed.fnal.gov
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The Physics of Sports