The Physics of Basketball Essay - 1350 Words

The 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 dribbling, passing, and shooting, to things as simple as setting a screen. First we should take a look at the elements of dribbling. Dribbling is all based on conservation of energy and the two different types of collisions, elastic and inelastic.†¦show more content†¦Some of this energy is transferred to the other player, but if they are properly setting the pick that player should not move. Since both players come essentially to rest, we can say that the energy was lost through and inelastic collision. Another basic element of basketball is that of passing the ball to another teammate. The physics involved in this process are velocity, momentum, and impulse. The ball has a mass and when it is thrown a velocity of the ball in created. From these two parts momentum is derived, P=mv (Kirkpatrick Wheeler 106). While playing basketball it may be to your advantage to increase or decrease the momentum of the ball when passing to a teammate depending upon the situation. When receiving a pass you catch or slow the balls momentum to zero, which is called impulse, the interaction that changes an object’s momentum-a force acting for a time interval (Kirkpatrick Wheeler 107). This is shown in an equation form by, F=P/Dt. By increasing the time over which you decelerate the ball, you lessen the force (Bill Willis 2001). This increase of ‘stopping† time will make it easier to catch and control the ball. Impulse is the same concept in many things like the automotive airbag, seatbelts, and landing pads for high jumpers. All of these are meant to slow the person down overShow 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 Essay1466 Words   |  6 PagesThe 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, andRead 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. Basketball players become good by developing muscle memory for the actions that must be performed in the game of basketball from years of practice. Nevertheless knowing some of the physics in the game of basketball can help a good player be a better player. In this paper I will coverRead More The Physics of Basketball Essay1832 Words   |  8 PagesThe 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. However, a greater understanding of the sport can be gained by applying the principles of physics to these actions. Through this paper I will be examining the physics of dribbling and shooting. For the equations, I will use a standard men’s basketball with a mass of 25 oz. (0.7 kg) and a diameter of 9.39†Read More Physics of Basketball Essay1867 Words   |  8 Pagesgreatest game of all time. Basketball was invented December 1891 at a YMCA gymnasium in Springfield, Massachusetts. The game was invented to be an indoor game for students to play during the cold winter months since there were no previous indoor game that could involve a whole class. Basketball started out with only 13 rules that were made by Naismith in 1891 and the rules have continued to grow and change up to present day. The change that had the biggest impact on how basketball is played was the introductionRead MoreChapter 4 : Displacement Of The Basketball1182 Words   |  5 PagesChapter 4: Displacement of the basketball Part 1: Fundamentals As there are many different aspects of physics found in the sport of basketball, I am going to summarise and talk about the fundamental physics that always take place on a basketball when moving, I will be defining the aspect of physics from prior knowledge and also, evaluating and explaining the main aspects of physics found in basketball and how they are applicable. The main elements of physics found in basketball that I will be analysingRead MoreThe Force to Dribble a Basketball833 Words   |  4 PagesIf you think about it, it’s almost impossible to measure the force that it takes to dribble a basketball, unless you have the right tools. Let’s just think about the basic physics that you should know. In order to dribble a basketball you need to apply enough force for the ball to go from your hand to the floor and back up to your hand. When the ball is in your hand it is holding potential energy. Potential energy is the energy that is about to be transferred into kinetic energy, which is when theRead More Personal History Essay1193 Words   |  5 Pages I am satisfied with what I have become; a student specializing in Physics with special interests in experimental Condensed Matter Physics. I grew up in a very small town. A town not fully developed; there were very few resources and not many quality schools to acquire a solid education. 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