Main Injector,2 miles around
Tevatron,4 miles around
Fermilab
The Physics of Sports
Physics explains
things that are very,
very small.
Physics explains things that are very, very large.
Physics explains things that are right in front of us.
The Motion of a Ball
Conservation of EnergyPotential Energy
Kinetic EnergyKinetic Energy
Compression Energy
Heat and Sound Energy
Flight Path
Changing Direction of Motion
Why are they all different?
Conservation of Momentum
Bat and ball are both moving…
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/
Energy in the baseball/bat collision
Player, stick, and puck in motion
What affects these games?
• Speed of the club, bat, racquet, or stick• The bounciness of the ball• The bounciness of club, bat, racquet, or stick• Follow through• Special equipment features
Resistance (drag)
FRICTION
Resistance & Friction
The Power of Spin
Spins in Figure Skating
Reaction Time
…in tennis
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
• Forces and motion• Conservation of energy• Conservation of momentum
These laws help us explain everything about sports.
Physics really is everywhere!
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• Lederman Science Center• Tours• Saturday morning physics• Ask a Scientist
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The Physics of Sports
