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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The Physics of Sports