FSN: Sport Science The Physics of Sports

Softball vs. Baseball How much force does a 95 mph fastball generate? What happened when Jennie Finch tested the force of her fastball? Which generates more force a baseball or a softball? Did Bryan Byrne have a harder time hitting a softball or a baseball? Why? Sketch a diagram that represents speed, distance and reaction time for a softball pitch vs. a baseball pitch. Draw a sketch explaining how Jennie’s pitching style uses physics (label words like fulcrum, lever, and inertia).

Hang Time What is hang time? What are some physics tips for jumping according to Jordan Farmar? Why did the scientists place a pressure gauge in Jordan’s shoes? What does the accelerometer on Jordan’s waist measure? What was Jordan Farmar’s hang time? Is there ever a point in time when Jordan is hanging in the air (not going up or coming down)? How does an NBA player create an optical illusion of hanging in the air? What is Michael Jordan’s hang time? What rule of physics did this episode help prove?

Drag Racing G-Force How fast does gravity accelerate downward in G-force? Rate the G-Force of the following sports athletes: Sumo Hit:_____ Joey Porter Hit:_____ “Rampage” Jackson Body Slam:_____ What is the ratio of G-force/second for a drag racer? How many pounds of pressure does Hillary Will experience during a race? Were they able to duplicate the G-force that Hillary experiences during a race?

Soccer Bicycle Kick What are they measuring on Jason Hernandez’s foot? How many revolutions per second did Jason Kick? Is Jason’s leg able to move as fast as a helicopter blade rotates?

Lara and Allison were here!!! We love you!!!!! !!!! Skywalker Vertical What is Chris Skywalker’s vertical? How much force does Chris Skywalker produce when he jumps? How does Chris Skywalker use Newton’s 3rd law of motion when he drives his energy down into the court? Is it possible to jump over a car? Lara and Allison were here!!! We love you!!!!! !!!!

Golf Balls What law of temperature was tested in this episode? What was the difference in temperature between the hot and cold balls? How did they generate a perfect golf swing with no human error? What was its name? Which ball went further (hot or cold)? What was the difference in yards between the hot and cold balls? Why did the ball that went further go further? How are hot molecules different from cold molecules?

Wide Receiver Range How high can Chad Johnson reach when jumping? What is Chad Johnson’s “standing target” size? What is Chad Johnson’s maximum target range in 2-D? …3-D? When Jerry Rice catches the football is the pressure on his fingertips or palms of his hands? By catching the football with your fingertips, how much does that extend the range of your target?

Sumo vs. Rampage What is Newton’s 2nd Law? Does a sumo wrestler have more mass or more acceleration? How many pounds of mass is the combined weight of the sumo wrestlers? How fast are the sumo wrestlers moving in mph? How much force does a sumo wrestler exert in pounds? Does Quinton “Rampage” Jackson have more mass or more acceleration? How much force does his punch deliver in pounds? Which exerted the most force, a sumo or a Rampage punch? (explain your answer using Newton’s 2nd law)

Hockey Check Why do you aim for a players chest when moving in for a check? What is the purpose of the two little blue squares on the glass (load cells)? How many pounds of force did the sensors record when the hit occurred 12 inches from the boards? How many pounds of force did the sensors record when the hit occurred directly on the boards? What causes such a big difference between the force impacts from 12 inches to 0 inches along the boards? Which generates more force an open ice hit or a hit against the boards and WHY?

Quarterback Reactions – Big Ben What are 5 critical components of a QB pass? How many miles per hour does Ben’s arm travel when he passes? How fast did Louis reach Big Ben? How much additional time does Big Ben need to get off a pass? How far does an offensive lineman have to detour the pass rusher to give a QB enough time to get off a pass?

Baseball Collision What factor is needed to calculate the impact force of a collision? What was the velocity of Damien Jackson? What was the velocity of Johnny Damon? What was their total closing velocity? How much force did Damon’s head experience upon impact? What happens inside the head that causes a concussion? What type of skull collision causes more injury: a straight forward force, or a rotational force?