The Physics of Sports

Main Injector,2 miles around

Tevatron,4 miles around

Fermilab

Argonne National Laboratory

Physics explains things that are very, very large.

Physics explains

things that are very,

very small.

Physics explains things that are right in front of us.

Newton’s First Law

Newton’s First Law

• Objects at rest remain at rest

• Objects in motion remain in motion

UNTIL YOU APPLY A FORCE

Newton’s First Law

Objects tend to resist a change

in motion. This is called:

Inertia

Newton’s Second Law

This is an equation

F = (something) X (something)

Newton’s Second Law

F = ma

Force = mass X acceleration

What forces are important in sports?

Flight Path

Energy in the baseball/bat collision

Energy in the baseball/bat collision

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/

Newton’s Third Law

For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.

Newton’s Third Law

Conservation of Energy

Potential Energy

Kinetic EnergyKinetic Energy

Compression Energy

Heat and Sound Energy

Conservation of Momentum

If m1 = m2 , then v1 = v2

Conservation of Momentum

• Ball material, size, shape, and texture

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

Equipment features

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

Air Resistance (drag)

FRICTION

Resistance & Friction

The Power of Spin

Spins in Figure Skating

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.

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: www-ed.fnal.gov

The Physics of Sports