Newtons 2nd law citations friction wmg and fma there are two different size balls. If it has high air pressure, it keeps the ball from bending when it slams against the court floor. The physics of baseball provides fans with fascinating insights into americas favorite pastime. In this picture you can see that there are many forces acting on the basketball as it flies through the air. Layups, stuff shots, treys, hang timethe entire wonderful game of hoops yields its kinetic secrets to. There is only one writer on the planet who possesses enou. This book is the authoritative reference on the physics of. In this book, fontanella, a physics professor at the united states naval academy and a former college basketball player, analyzes the many ways a basketball can bounce. The basketball is a projectile fired from one point to its destination point. Bill ingram, executive editor, basketball news services an unusual book, certain to attract both the sports fan and the armchair scientist. Ship them straight to your home or dorm, or buy online and pick up in store. The same is applied to the physics behind the basketball shot.
A parabola is a special curved line used in math to represent points on a graph. In a way, a game like basketball is a physics geeks delight. Several applications of physical principles to the game of basketball are examined. Naval academy and author of the physics of basketball, explains the role of physics in basketball, from foul shots to sidearm. This article is within the scope of wikiproject basketball, a collaborative effort to improve the coverage of basketball on wikipedia. 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. The kinematics of a basketball shot is studied, and criteria are established for determining the best.
Then you can start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer no kindle device required. Oct 1, 2009 major league baseballs opening day has arrivedand so has pms new book. The ball used in a game should have high air pressure, which is explained through the law of physics. On this page, i will show you how kinematics, forces, and energy relate to passing a basketball. There are many aspects to the physics of basketball. When first found and began reading this book, i was skeptical as to how accurate and how truly relative this would be to either basketball or to the principles of physics that i have learned this year. As you read, relive some of the great moments in the gamethis time with a scientist and diehard basketball fan as your color analyst. At first glance, physics and basketball seem worlds apart, but at harvard theyre connected in more ways than one.
Fontanella, shows how you can improve your game if you take advice from isaac newton. Third edition, revised, updated, and expanded paperback may 7 2002. Drain three pointers, slam dunk easily, and sink that buzzer beater from half court with the help of simple science. This book summary and analysis was created for individuals who want to extract the essential contents and are too busy to go through the full version. 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. Originally published in 1936, this book deals with the first writings of a medical nature known to be associated with any english hospital and their mysterious author. Physics of basketball hang time jumping is a major component in the physics behind basketball. Choices russia intermediate teacher s book, author. I remember being a kid and watching old highlights of larry bird wondering to myself how the heck he was such a consistent shooter. Physics of basketball physics of basketball brancazio, peter j. Commentated by patrick andrade and ethan valencia explains the physics of 2 key elements of basketball shooting and dribbling. The physics of basketball download ebook pdf, epub. Choices russia intermediate teacher s book by issuu.
It might help you find the best angle for your jump shot. John fontanella, whose success as a shooter approached perfection, has applied physics to the everyday world of basketball. Its a basketball that provides the ideal focus for physics. Basketball physics play free basketball physics games online. The name comes from the face book directories often given to american. As you can see in figure 1 to the right, you can see just how newtons 3rd law works.
The physics of passing a basketball by ashley aeschliman. Running is probably the most important skill in basketball. Newtons 3rd law as we learned back in physics 211 we understand fully that newtons 3rd law states that with every reaction, there is an equal and opposite reaction. The physics of basketball kindle edition by fontanella, john j download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. The physics of basketball the johns hopkins university press 2006 this book is the authoritative reference on the physics of basketball its a clearly explained and delightfully empirically. It is written from the perspective of a fan of the game and then through the eyes of a physicist. Dribbling the basketball when a player dribbles a ball, the ball exerts a force on the ground when it hits. Although to be good at basketball it is not necessary to play it from a physics point of view. The ground exerts an equal and opposite force on the ball which pushes it upward into the air. If you have a greater acceleration than the ball, you will not have control of the ball. Passing is the fastest way to get the ball down the court into the opponents end.
If you would like to participate, please visit the project page, where you can join the discussion and see a list of open tasks this article. Basketball is a team sport in which two teams, most commonly of five players each. Most people who study the physics of basketball get deep into the art of shooting, passing, and dribbling instead of actually playing the sport. Physics of basketball, the american journal 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. Backspin creates something physicists know as the magnus effect. Figuring the physics of basketball can studying the laws of physics help you be a better basketball player. It will tremendously enhance the game that he loves. Bill simmonss new podcast breaks down the nbas most important games, players, and teams, extending and.
While the path looks straight, it is actually a downward parabola because gravity acts on the ball. Booktopia buy basketball books online from australias leading online bookstore. It is so specific that he points out how much less a basketball weighs as a consequence of air buoyancy. All of this repetitive practice will lead to better muscle memory, better control of the basketball, and help create moves in. Muscle memory is created and mastered when a player can control the acceleration, the velocity, the direction, and spin of the basketball with each dribble. 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. Th eyre more interesting tha n physics experiments anyway. Eighteen male basketball players 7 guards, 8 forwards, 3 centers from six serbian senior teams were tested. It wants to stay in motion so the ball pushes into the ground when it hits, compressing the air inside. Here are 5 things you didnt know about the physics of basketball.
The nba according to the sports guy simmons, bill, gladwell, malcolm on. For the ball to leave the players hand, the player must exert a force on the ball. The physics of basketball and millions of other books are available for amazon kindle. 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 puzzle game,physicsbased ball games online. Drain three pointers, slam dunk easily, and sink that buzz. The physics of basketball essay 1832 words bartleby. A dunk happens in a game of basketball when a player slams the ball into the basket from above.
Shooting hoops is great fun, and a basketball game can be very exciting. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the physics of basketball. 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. The different masses of the balls effects the weight of the pass, because of the gravity and the different masses. Find the top 100 most popular items in amazon books best sellers. The nba according to the sports guy is the second book by former espn columnist bill simmons. A basketball player tries to make a half court jump.
How can a sailboat travel almost directly into the wind. Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app. When you are shooting a jump shot, you mainly want. Basketball physics is a funaddicting, one button, 2 player basketball game by. The physics of basketball basketball isn t as easy as people depict it to be. Not just the stats, interviews, opinion, history and current player stories, but the books, nonfiction, memoir, fiction. The physics of baseball third edition is a well thought out and tested book. 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. Players like dwyane wade pictured above, amare stoudemire, and lebron james have mastered the art of dunking, and dunk on a regular basis.
The man exhibited an overwhelming amount of confidence out on the basketball court. The 94fifty basketball sensor was used to obtain the kinematic parameters of the jump. Passing is a very important element in the game of basketball. Robert adair, a professor at yale, informatively discusses nearly every aspect of the game through a scientific view. See all 7 formats and editions hide other formats and editions. Books in print summerfall 2018 university press of new. Bill simmons explores the modern nba in book of basketball 2. Dunking is probably the most popular, famous, and exciting move that a player can perform. It is very descriptive and should be in the hands of baseball players everywhere. 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.
Everywhere from running, fielding, bat physics, hitting, and most interestingly, pitching. The physics of basketball takes the game to a whole new level. Take physics night at leverett house, for example, and an intrasquad basketball game at the malkin athletic center mac two activities that develop both mind and body, nurturing the individual and the community simultaneously. There are a lot of physics happening when you shoot the basketball.
The nba according to the sports guy updated, reprint by simmons, bill, gladwell, malcolm isbn. This is because as a basketball player, you need be able to tun without and with the basketball while keeping it under control. It contains basketball drills that demonstrate the laws of physics, my bullet proof study method for passing tests and getting homework done quickly, and plenty of interesting facts about the game of basketball. The physics of basketball essay 1950 words 8 pages. Launch basketballs as you try solve puzzles, collect stars, and make baskets. 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. Ken zetie physics education fontanella writes with humor and feeling. Gravity acts on everything on the earth, pushing everything down. Bill simmonss new podcast breaks down the nbas most important games, players, and teams, extending and reinventing his new york times no. It was published by johns hopkins university press. Fun physics games, new logic puzzles for kids girls boys, elementary age, middle high school students, teens to play now.