STEM NEwS: Game On!1

AERODYNAMICS IN FOOTBALL he quarterback takes the snap and gets ready to

Wait. What?

throw the prolate spheroid to the open receiver down�eld and …

That strange football shape is called called a prolate spheroid. That shape lets football players put a spin on the ball when

they throw it or kick it. This spin creates air �ow over the ball while it travels. That matters because gravity is always trying to pull the ball down to the ground.

Quarterbacks grip the ball in different ways to create spin. And spin is how they get more lift on the ball. Air traveling above the ball is forced downward by the spin and the air below creates lift.

The word aerodynamics comes from two Greek

words:

(meaning ‘of the air’)and

(power, strength, force)Scientists use

aerodynamics to make things go fast and far – like cars, jet planes and

footballs.The weight of an object makes it harder to lift.

But knowing about aerodynamics keeps

a 300,000 pound plane in the air!

NEED A LIFT?

Hey, gravity! Just whose side

are you on, anyway?

When the football spins around the x-axis - or horizontal axis - it keeps the ball on its intended path.

SPIN TO WIN

This spinning around the x-axis is called a gyroscopic effect.

STEM NEwS: Game On!2

TACKLING NEWTON’S LAWSNewton’s First Law of Motion

Newton’s Second Law of Motion

CODE:

hen you watch a quarterback throw a perfect spiral pass, a linebacker tackle an o�ensive player or watch a running back rush the �eld, these are all examples of the principles of physics, such as energy in motion and the transfer of energy.

WInertia is a part of Newton’s First Law of Motion. It explains that once an object is in motion, it doesn’t change its motion unless another force acts upon it. The more mass an object has the more force is needed to change its motion, or the more inertia it has.

Two football players running on the �eld are examples of energy in motion and the transfer of energy.

Imagine a 200 pound player carrying the football towards the goal as a 300 pound opponent heads towards him. Which player

has more inertia?

What do you think will happen? Why?

Will the 300 pound player knock down

the 200 pound player?

Newton’s Second Law of Motion says that a force applied to an object, like a football, causes it to move.

What supplies the force applied to a football during a kicko�? Use the code to reveal the answer.

=C=E

=F=H

=I=K

=O=R

=S=T

ISAAC NEWTON is considered one of the most important scientists in history. He developed the theory of gravity and the laws of motion which

became the basis of physics. And he also had awesome hair!

You can see Newton’s Second Law of Motion in action on the football �eld. Linemen tend to be slower than backs and receivers. Linemen

tend to have larger, more massive bodies. This means their bodies have more inertia. They need to use more force (or e�ort) to run fast.

STEM NEwS: Game On!3

Tackling Math

Newton’s Third Law of Motion states that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.

There are six teams in the STEM Football League. They have played three games so far this season.

ACTION:When one object exerts a force on a second object.

REACTION:The second object exerts an equal force in the opposite direction to the �rst object.

In each example below, label the action force and the reaction force.Newton’s Third Law of Motion

1.2.3.4.5.6.

AERODYNAMICS:ENERGIZERS:

REACTORS:NEWTONIANS:

CALCULATORS:SPHEROIDS:

Calculate each teams’ average number of points for the �rst three games:

Rank the teams in order based on the number of games they won. (If two

teams have the same record, list the team that

has scored more total points higher.)

STEM NEwS: Game On!4

Measuring HeatExplore how scientists measure body heat by viewing your own body’s Thermal Image in the STEM Zone!

Play It Safe: Helmet History STEM careers require an eye for details. Read about the evolution of football helmets and answer the questions at right.ARE YOU A KEEN OBSERVER?

SCIENTIST’S NOTEBOOK

Helmets and double bar face masks were

introduced. All players in the NFL wore face

masks.

1960sRiddell introduced a helmet with an air bladder inside the helmet to absorb

energy and soften the impact of a hit

on the head.

1970sFirst polycarbonate

helmets and protective visors were added. In 1998, the NFL required visors to be transparent.

1980s - 1990sWith improved face masks, cushioning against impact and

chin straps, helmets are now designed to reduce concussions.

TODAY

An air bladder inside a helmet softens the impact of a hit on the head.

The �rst football helmets were made of cotton.

A radio in the helmet helps a coach communi-cate with players in the locker room.

Today, the NFL requires visors to be transparent.

The �rst football head coverings were designed to simply protect a player’s ears.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

The first helmets were merely soft leather coverings that were meant primarily to protect the ears.

1920sIn 1939, John T. Riddell Company

of Chicago introduced the first all plastic

football helmet.

1930sSoft leather head

coverings became hard leather helmets. Chin

straps and decorations were added. Helmets

became mandatory for NFL players.

1940sA single face bar was

added to plastic helmets. In 1956, a radio helmet was introduced which allowed coaches to communicate with

players on the field.

1950s