PHYSICS WITH FOOTBALL By Alec Van Horn For

PHYSICS WITH FOOTBALL By: Alec Van Horn

For my project I am going to be using physics to help me with football. WHAT’S MY TOPIC?

Physics is the branch of science concerned with the nature and properties of matter and energy. The subject matter of physics, distinguished from that of chemistry and biology, includes mechanics, heat, light and other radiation, sound, electricity, magnetism, and the structure of atoms. WHAT IS PHYSICS?

When you throw a football across the yard to your friend, you are using physics. You make adjustments for all the factors, such as distance, wind and the weight of the ball. The farther away your target is the more force you have to use to get it their. If the angle is steeper, your brain automatically adjusts what you have to do to get it to your target. THROWING THE BALL AND PHYSICS

When a NFL football QB throws a football it spins at about 600 RPM When you do that, it creates a gyroscopic torque Gravity tries to pull the nose of the spinning ball downward, but the aerodynamic forces of wind flow over the ball, counter balancing each other to keep the ball on target. When you throw a football it should have about 3 wobbles per 5 spins because the wobbles help it stay on track. WHEN YOU THROW A FOOTBALL

I know that if I need to throw it farther I need to use more force Same thing if I’m throwing into the wind (Need more force) And I need to use less force if I’m throwing with the win In addition to throwing the ball point first, the passer’s grip on the ball and release cause the ball to spin on its lateral axis, and he benefits from the aerodynamics of the ball’s egg and circular shape If I use a ball that has a larger circumference then it will be easier for me to throw it farther This is because a ball that can hold a greater amount of volume can carry more air which carries it farther when it’s thrown HOW PHYSICS CAN HELP ME THROW

"How the Physics of Football Works. " How. Stuff. Works. N. p. , n. d. Web. 3 Mar. 2014. <http: //entertainment. howstuffworks. com/physics-offootball. htm>. "How the Physics of Football Works. " How. Stuff. Works. N. p. , n. d. Web. 4 Mar. 2014. <http: //entertainment. howstuffworks. com/physics-offootball 1. htm>. "The Physics of Throwing a Football. " LIVESTRONG. COM, 6 Feb. 2014. Web. 4 Mar. 2014. <http: //www. livestrong. com/article/462749 -physics-throwingfootball/>. CITATION