The physics of basketball basketball isn t as easy as people depict it to be. Armenti puts to rest a number of popular sportsrelated misconceptions and accounts for phenomena that, for many, have been a source of wonder since childhood. It is written from the perspective of a fan of the game and then through the eyes of a physicist. In this book we get to see many of the nbas best players at work and find out the physics of the sport as we go. What is the theoretical final maximum height of the tennis ball. There are a lot of physics happening when you shoot the basketball. A good basketball has a bit of grip to it, so it doesnt slide very easily, and the friction force can be substantial.
Bill ingram, executive editor, basketball news services an unusual book, certain to attract both the sports fan and the armchair scientist. Create fun games that you can publish and share with friends. Have you ever noticed that when you drop a basketball, its bounce does not reach the height you dropped it from. Backspin creates something physicists know as the magnus effect. For general science readers and students and teachers of either physics or sports. Veritasiumyoutube drop a basketball from a height, youve got a few flights of stairs to descend to retrieve it and you might even. If a ball has a low air pressure, it will form to the floor and not bounce back up, because it has less air molecules to bounce off the ground with.
A game made by religious2 with our physics game maker. A lot of the time, good athletic performance is based on proper control and coordination of movement. The different masses of the balls effects the weight of the pass, because of the gravity and the different masses. Ken zetie physics education fontanella writes with humor and. Bouncing the ball on the ground, passing to your teammate, and shooting at the goal all depend on physics, math and the laws of motion. Basketball games on tv always include slowmotion clips of the ball spinning backwards as it flies toward the rim, but why is that spin important. In the book the physics of basketball, author john fantanella, explains that the magnus effect is when backspin gives the ball a little lift allowing for the slowest possible speed, creating a dip in elevation and a less violent rebound off the backboard or rim. Try this when they hit the ground the momentum transfer sends the tennis ball flying upward. The physics of passing a basketball by ashley aeschliman.
Popular basketball books showing 150 of 1,666 the book of basketball. Almost everybody, at some point in their lives, has bounced a rubber ball against the wall or floor and observed its motion. I betcha didnt know there was science involved in the sport of basketball. An unusual book, certain to attract both the sports fan and the armchair scientist. Learn more about opportunities to study at the university of kentucky at as. The physics of basketball the physics of blown sand and desert dunes the physics of star. There are many aspects to the physics of basketball. Spin spin usually happens as the ball is passed, shot, or dribbled in the game of basketball. Ive never studied the physics of sports balls but i know most of them are round. On this page, i will show you how kinematics, forces, and energy relate to passing a basketball.
Pass to your teammates and solve puzzles as you try to get the basketball in each basket. Jumping is a major component in the physics behind basketball. With a peach basket and balls, james naismith created an exciting game where you had to throw the ball in the basket to gain a point for your team. Other times, it helps to have a good understanding of the physics taking place, and then using this knowledge to your. Most people who study the physics of basketball get deep into the art of shooting, passing, and dribbling instead of actually playing the sport. Assume the basketball instantaneously reverses its velocity when it hits the ground and that at this moment the tennis ball is still moving down. More from coach fisher john fontanellas groundbreaking book, the physics of basketball, changed my thinking. The making and unmaking of the warriors dynasty ethan sherwood strauss. The ball used in a game should have high air pressure, which is explained through the law of physics.
Fontanella used physics to calculate the exact launch angle for players of different height. A m 57g tennis ball is held above a m 590g basketball, and both are released from rest when the bottom of the basketball is h 1. Here are 5 things you didnt know about the physics of basketball. See the materials and equipment list for details on where to buy one. An infrared thermometer is required to do this science project. Drain three pointers, slam dunk easily, and sink that buzzer beater from half court with the help of simple science. Basketball as a projectile the physics of basketball. A brief explanation of the physics behind the backspin that basketball players are taught to put on their shots, with some assistance from a couple of union college players. Passing is a very important element in the game of basketball. If it has high air pressure, it keeps the ball from bending when it slams against the court floor. I remember being a kid and watching old highlights of larry bird wondering to myself how the heck he was such a consistent shooter. Bill simmons shelved 129 times as basketball avg rating 4. In the book the physics of basketball, the author, john fantanella, explains the magnus effect, the backspin which gives the ball a little bit of lift allowing for the slowest possible speed and a less violent rebound if it hits the backboard or rim and may even allow the ball to go in the net.
How it works, and found that to be of high interest as well. The 94fifty basketball sensor was used to obtain the kinematic parameters of the jump. A basketball, with a tennis ball sitting on top of. In this lesson, developed by talking science, a partner of nprs science friday initiative, together with john fontanella, a physicist at the u.
A basketball, with a tennis ball sitting on top of it, is released from rest from a 2m vertical height. It might help you find the best angle for your jump shot. Buy concept of physics part1 20192020 session by h. Physics major andrew nicholson is the smartest player in. Whether you are watching college teams on tv or playing in the backyard, basketball is fun because of science. Shoot basketballs out of your cannon as you try to get at least one ball into each basket. In a way, a game like basketball is a physics geeks delight. The physics of sports has broad applications, and is useful for boosting performance in a variety of athletic disciplines. Basketball physics is a funaddicting, one button, 2 player basketball game by. Physics of basketball hang time jumping is a major component in the physics behind basketball. Bouncing ball physics is an interesting subject of analysis, demonstrating several interesting dynamics principles related to acceleration, momentum, and energy.
H c verma s concepts of physics is an allinclusive book, which serves to detail out the abc of physics in an intricate manner making it an ideal book for not. Bonaventureonly after switching from chemistryand one of the best players in college basketball last season. Basketball physics is a one button funny jump basketball game. James naismith, who was a physical education teacher, thought of a game to introduce to his students. Shooting hoops is great fun, and a basketball game can be very exciting. Students receive the advantages of studying abroad without any loss of time or the risk of credits not being counted. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new books every 1, 2, or 3 months new customers receive 15% off your. Journey inside the numbers for an exceptional set of statistical tools and rules that can help explain the winning, or losing, ways of a basketball team. The physics of basketball takes the game to a whole new level. Commentated by patrick andrade and ethan valencia explains the physics of 2 key elements of basketball shooting and dribbling. Jumping for the ball, or leaping for a slam dunk, the human body follows the same laws of projectile motion as do other objects. Basketball and physics game, difficult skill arcade game for pc, mac. Naval academy and author of the physics of basketball, students will learn how physics affects the game. A little bit of physics and a lot of practice can make everyone a better shooter from the freethrow line.
Newtons 2nd law citations friction wmg and fma there are two different size balls. As you read, relive some of the great moments in the gamethis time with a scientist and diehard basketball fan as your color analyst. Eighteen male basketball players 7 guards, 8 forwards, 3 centers from six serbian senior teams were tested. Passing is the fastest way to get the ball down the court into the opponents end. Fontanella, shows how you can improve your game if you take advice from isaac newton. When a basketball player jumps in the air to make a shot he can appear to be suspended in midair during the high point of the jump. Figuring the physics of basketball can studying the laws of physics help you be a better basketball player. The article science tells all sports world specials, june 4 contained a discussion of the physics of basketball shooting, and it clearly implied that this work had been done by thomas h. Drain three pointers, slam dunk easily, and sink that buzz. This is a prolate spheroid, also the shape of an inflated pigs bladder which is what the fir. In 1891, in springfield, massachusetts a man names dr. Quantum leap mens basketball physics psychology science drawing sports drawings physics humor. Basketball physics play free basketball physics games online. Most of us would think that this type of book would be quite boring, but i found it to be quite the opposite.
The physics of basketball is a nonfiction book by john fontanella first published on november 15, 2006 that explores the scientific side of basketball. The man exhibited an overwhelming amount of confidence out on the basketball court. Ken zetie physics education fontanella writes with humor and feeling. Must be able to dribble a basketball 100 times in a row quickly. Naval academy and author of the physics of basketball, explains the role of physics in basketball, from foul shots to sidearm. Physics is something heavy to deal with, even more when a ball and a basket come in the mix, so you better put on your baller clothes, step right. Cool new physics games for kids girls boys, elementary, middle. How can a sailboat travel almost directly into the wind. Its a playground where you can apply physics principles to try.