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Physics
in Sports
A
Group Project
In some sports, such as swimming and cross-country
running, the winner of a competition is determined by who can move at the
fastest average speed. Other sports, such as basketball, figure skating, and
ultimate Frisbee, depend on accuracy, technique and teamwork. You have learned
that forces are used to control motion by changing the speed or the direction
of an object’s motion. These same forces are used to accelerate equipment or
human bodies in sports.
In
a group assigned by the teacher, select a sport or physical activity that your
group would like to study. Choose a sport you can actually play or observe.
Use direct observations and measurements to explore the dynamics, or the
motion and forces, involved in this sport. Suggestions for sports are listed
below.
| Soccer | Basketball | Tennis |
| Swimming | Biking | Softball |
| Volleyball | Gymnastics | Baseball |
| Handball | Running | Table tennis |
| Wrestling | Football | Skiing |
| Hockey | Roller blades |
For the sport or activity of your choice, research the
following information.
1.
What is
the history of your sport? When and by whom was it invented? How much has it
changed since it was invented?
2.
Describe
the objects in motion in your sport. Do people move around a lot? Do they move
in straight lines or do they change directions? Is a ball or other object the
focal point of the game?
3.
What two
things must be measured to determine the average speed of an object? Design a
way to measure the average speed of a moving person or object in this sport,
such as the speed of a served ball. Try it! Describe how the athlete controls
this speed.
4.
Review
the definition of work. Try to identify and describe at least two examples of an
action in which work is done in your sport. Remember, the force and the distance
moved must be in the same direction. What information would you need to
calculate the amount of work done?
5.
Find at
least one example of each of Newton’s laws of motion in your sport. Describe
each example as clearly as possible.
6.
What
simple machines are used to perform the work done in your sport? Include
“machines” that are really part of the human body. (Refer to page 186 –
194 in your text book)
7.
Describe
how gravity is utilized or impacts your sport?
After you have investigated the questions,
design a presentation for the class about the physics of your sport you chose.
Your presentation should answer the questions you investigated. Use actual
demonstrations of the sport as much as possible to help make your explanations
clear and concise. You might consider videotaping some motions involved in your
sport if the sport itself cannot be easily demonstrated in the classroom.
Each
and every movement in each and every sport contains a great deal of physics.
Make a poster that includes at least one diagram or picture of a specific
action. Show an analysis of all forces and motion existing in this action by
pointing to specific parts of the body or equipment that are in use. Consider
the role friction plays in your sport. In what circumstances is friction
desirable? Undesirable? Using your understanding of the physics involved,
describe several specific things that an athlete could use to improve
performance in this sport.
Group Requirements:
1.
Develop a
poster displaying your findings about your sport. Focus on how motion, forces,
gravity and simple machines are utilized to participate in the sport or
activity.
2.
Develop a
Power Point Presentation to be presented to your class explaining how physics is
involved in your sport.
3.
Develop a
web page using “Front Page” that teaches others about how physics is
involved within your sport.
Individual
Requirements
1.
Participate
in all group activities.
2.
Write a 3
– 5 page report about your sport of choice following the guidelines set for
the group project. OR
3.
Develop a
web page or Individual Power Point Presentation on their sport that is
substantially different than the group project.
A scoring rubric will be
used to grade all portions of the project.
The following criteria will be used to determine each
student’s grade.
Group Participation -
30%
Group Power Point -
10%
Group Web Page -
10%
Group Poster –
10%
Group Research –
10%
Individual Project -
30%