I betcha didnt know there was science involved in the sport of basketball. The second law of motion shows that while gravity is a constant acceleration, adding a larger mass to the equation still gives way to a larger force. The floor the floor, seemingly unimportant in the laws of motion as it does not move, is actually a significant player in a game of basketball. Figuring the physics of basketball can studying the laws of physics help you be a better basketball player. Naval academy and author of the physics of basketball, explains the role of physics in basketball, from foul shots to sidearm. Jan 19, 2007 the physics of basketball takes the game to a whole new level. 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. Basketball and physics game, difficult skill arcade game for pc, mac. Black mamba physics in basketball is fairly irrelevant. Robert adair, a professor at yale, informatively discusses nearly every aspect of the game through a scientific view.
Bill simmons shelved 129 times as basketball avg rating 4. 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. Passing is the fastest way to get the ball down the court into the opponents end. The physics of basketball takes the game to a whole new level. There are many aspects to the physics of basketball. The nook book ebook of the basketball book for beginners. Mar 21, 2014 according to duda and the research he has read, the lowest arc is 33 degrees for even a hope of making a 3point shot, but with an arc of 45 degrees, a speed of just under 20 miles per hour and. Physics of basketball hang time jumping is a major component in the physics behind basketball. I have done quite a bit of independent research in both areas. The ball used in a game should have high air pressure, which is explained through the law of physics.
The physics of basketball is a nonfiction book by john fontanella first published on november 15, 2006 that explores the scientific side of basketball. Sterling professor emeritus of physics at yale university and former physicist to the national league. The physics of basketball download ebook pdf, epub. Figure 1 to the left shows the conversion from potential energy, to kinetic energy, and vice versa after it collides with the basketball court.
The physics of baseball is a great book that should be read by any baseball fan who wants to understand the reasons behind why certain things in the game happen as they do. Physics comes alive as you see how kobe bryant, wilt the stilt chamberlain, michael jordan, becky hammon, and j. Nov 19, 2006 youll even learn how to shatter the backboard, if thats something youve always dreamed of doing. The physics of baseball provides fans with fascinating insights into americas favorite pastime. How does newtons second law of physics relate to throwing a baseball. Cool new physics games for kids girls boys, elementary, middle high school students to play now. Wed love you to buy this book, and hope you find this page convenient in locating a place of purchase. The physics of basketball basketball isn t as easy as people depict it to be. This is because as a basketball player, you need be able to tun without and with the basketball while keeping it under control.
Where do some of the physics students do their field work. Whether you are watching college teams on tv or playing in the backyard, basketball is fun because of science. Drain three pointers, slam dunk easily, and sink that buzz. Ken zetie physics education fontanella writes with humor and feeling.
The physics of passing a basketball by ashley aeschliman. Here are 5 things you didnt know about the physics of basketball. The physics of football discover the science of bonecrunching hits, soaring field goals, and aweinspiring passes. Pages in category physics books the following 168 pages are in this category, out of 168 total. Fontanella, shows how you can improve your game if you take advice from isaac newton. Mar 30, 2007 figuring the physics of basketball can studying the laws of physics help you be a better basketball player. With photographs and simple high school formulas, physics professor fontanellawho played in college against pittsburgh and syracusereveals the key pieces of physics that underscore basketball.
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. The physics of basketball by john j fontanella abebooks. However, a greater understanding of the sport can be gained by applying the principles of physics to these. Booktopia buy basketball books online from australias leading online bookstore. The physics of basketball introduction any child can pick up a basketball, bounce it a few times, and throw it at the hoop without realizing the complex physics he is involving himself in. Baseball can be used to teach what principles of physics.
The physics of basketball essay 1832 words 8 pages. If it has high air pressure, it keeps the ball from bending when it slams against the court floor. Most people who study the physics of basketball get deep into the art of shooting, passing, and dribbling instead of actually playing the sport. As you read, relive some of the great moments in the gamethis time with a scientist and diehard basketball fan as your color analyst. If you have a greater acceleration than the ball, you will not have control of the ball. Reddick do naturally the things that isaac newton says they should.
Basketball physics play free basketball physics games online. Fontanella, a professor of physics at the us naval academy, a former high school. Cool new physics games for kids girls boys, elementary, middle. I am also heavily involved with several areas of practical interest to the game.
Jun 10, 1984 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. Home basketball as a projectile dribbling the basketball shot bibliography the physics of dribbling. They would throw a soccer ball into a peach basket while another person tried to deflect it. He is the first to do a comprehensive study of the subject, resulting in a popular book appropriately entitled the physics of baseball, originally published in 1990 and currently in its 3rd edition 2002. 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. Popular basketball books showing 150 of 1,666 the book of basketball. Basketball physics is a funaddicting, one button, 2 player basketball game by. John fontanella, whose success as a shooter approached perfection, has applied physics to the everyday world of basketball. Reviews of the book report that it blends scientific fact and baseball trivia nicely. Basic skill you must have here is what you will learn inside this guidea brief history on basketball the different basketball positionsskills needed for basketball basketball equipment the rules and regulations of basketball basic maneuvers to get you started. Its a playground where you can apply physics principles to try. How can a sailboat travel almost directly into the wind.
A little bit of physics and a lot of practice can make everyone a better shooter from the freethrow line. For general science readers and students and teachers of either physics or sports. I highly recommend his book for coaches, players, and fans who want an insightful understanding of the science of shooting a basketball. As you hold a basketball, it has built up potential energy. Shooting hoops is great fun, and a basketball game can be very exciting. The physics of basketball essay 1832 words bartleby. 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. 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. What i mean is that the physics in basketball is a product of a persons memory. And just to make things interesting, well take a cue from the durham bulls manager, breaking down the physics of throwing, hitting and catching, in that order.
Welcome to my site devoted to research on the physics of baseball. Thats because baseball obeys the same physical principles that govern planetary motion, car crashes and airplane flight. Baseball is a game of numbers, and even though few ball players hold a degree in mathematics, every one is a practiced mathematician on the field. 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. Potential energy, as we learned in basic physics, increases as the ball is at a greater height. It originally started off as a game played by children in a physical education class. Click download or read online button to get the physics of basketball book now. Newtons 2nd law citations friction wmg and fma there are two different size balls. Drain three pointers, slam dunk easily, and sink that buzzer beater from half court with the help of simple science. The nba according to the sports guy and over 8 million other books are available for amazon kindle. Join to find the hottest teen books, connect with your favorite ya authors and meet new friends who share your reading interests. Home basketball as a projectile dribbling the basketball shot bibliography physics 212x 42015 taught by david newman. Running is probably the most important skill in basketball.
Passing is a very important element in the game of basketball. He covers almost every aspect of the game, weaving in stories from games hes played and games hes seen, and tales from basketball history and folklore. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read the physics of basketball. It is written from the perspective of a fan of the game and then through the eyes of a physicist.
It might help you find the best angle for your jump shot. Jumping for the ball, or leaping for a slam dunk, the human body follows the same laws of projectile motion as do other objects. In a way, a game like basketball is a physics geeks delight. Nov 08, 2009 a little bit of physics and a lot of practice can make everyone a better shooter from the freethrow line. The different masses of the balls effects the weight of the pass, because of the gravity and the different masses. There are a lot of physics happening when you shoot the basketball. This article will explore some of those physical principles and attempt to reveal the science behind the intuition. Instead the physics in basketball is simply interesting to people who really try to break down the art of shooting, passing, and dribbling. Bill ingram, executive editor, basketball news services an unusual book, certain to attract both the sports fan and the armchair scientist. This force you applied causes the ball to collide with the basketball court.