The Physics of Basketball Essay - 1466 Words

The Physics of Basketball The NBA playoffs are making the headlines all over. Every news channel, sports channel, and newspaper has a story about the big games. Everyone is making bets as to who will be the big champions. Will it be the defending champions, Los Angeles Lakers, or will it possibly be one of the underdogs. This is the most intensive time of year for basketball fans as they watch the teams battle out the game. Up and down the court, the turnovers, rebounds, fast breaks, and most of all the baskets make the games exciting. But have you ever wondered how these things happen? What enables the basketball to bounce, how does Kobe Bryant fly through the air, and why does the ball rotate backwards as it leaves a shooter’s†¦show more content†¦This happens because kinetic energy is not conserved. The energy is wasted in deforming the ball as it hits the surface creating an inelastic collision. For the best bounce you want a highly pressurized ball. The other factor that determines the quality of the bounce is the surface that the ball is bounced on. The harder the surface the more elastic the collision will be creating a useful bounce. Why doesn’t a ball bounce very well off of a soft surface such as carpet? A soft surface will create an inelastic collision in which the energy is not conserved. A hard surface is also needed to produce an effective bounce. In order to use your teammates while playing basketball, one must pass the ball to them. Most passes are hard and fast, but the impact of a hard pass can be lessened if caught appropriately. A ball coming at you has momentum. Momentum is equal to mass * velocity (mv) so if the ball is coming fast it will have more momentum. Since mass * velocity = force * time, then the total force or impact of the pass will be (mass*velocity) / time. From this equation we can determine that the force will decrease as time increases. By increasing the time over which the ball is decelerated, you can lessen the force of the hard pass (Kirkpatrick, 106-107). Another question that lingers in my mind is how does Kobe Bryant fly through the air. Does he have some God given power that allows him to do so? Actually this can alsoShow MoreRelatedPhysics of Basketball640 Words   |  3 PagesPhysics takes part in our everyday lives without us even recognizing it. In simple every day functions like when we walk, how our vehicles function properly, and even how we play sports. We go on each day with no recognition of physics until it is pointed out to us. The concept of physics is the study of fundamental structures and interactions in the physical universe. We learn physics to get a better understanding of the universe and the objects in it (Ostdiek). Now, that I have given you a briefRead More The Physics of Basketball Essay1350 Words   |  6 PagesThe Physics of Basketball The more and more I look around I begin to see how physics are integrated into practically everything that we do. These things would surely go unnoticed without making a conscious effort to notice them. For example simple things like riding a bike, or driving a car, or playing catch with a son or daughter. Just as these activities are loaded with elements of physics, sports are also, especially basketball. Physics play a part in every aspect of the game, from dribblingRead More The Physics of Basketball Essay1950 Words   |  8 PagesThe Physics of Basketball There are many aspects to the game of basketball and physics can be applied to all of them. Although to be good at basketball it is not necessary to play it from a physics point of view. 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I had to pass an entrance exam to get into a good school for 8th grade at a time when most students in my town would drop out of school after 7th grade in order to search for work and support their families. Read MoreBasketball Vs. Basketball822 Words   |  4 PagesThese were the exact words of basketball hall of famer Michael Jordan, a person who can be debated as the greatest basketball player ever. This quote means more than just how to be successful in basketball; it means that making mistakes is part of the journey to a prosperous life, but not taking chances strays from the path to success. In today’s world, people have to be competitive to succeed in anything. The formula for both a â€Å"good† life and successful basketball career requires many similar thingsRead MoreReflection Essay902 Words   |  4 Pagesfiber of my mind and body are like a magnet captivated by the enlightening content embedded in the pages. It is a powerful feeling that piques my curiosity to its fullest. And it has continued to grow ever since I sat down on the first day of my AP Physics 1 class– September 2, 2015 – in room 3-202. I still vividly remember the inquisitive young boy I was in that class, each day always eager and excited to open the door and enter this sacred place that promoted intellectual freedom and truth: a rigorous