Customer Reviews

The Physics of Football: Discover the Science of Bone-Crunching Hits, Soaring Field Goals, and Awe-Inspiring Passes

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The author provides many lucid explanations, with numbers and equations, that deal with the physics of football. There is a good deal of emphasis on collisions. He thus distinguishes between inelastic and elastic conditions, giving a hilarious example of the latter (football players wearing spring-filled suits, so that they could bounce off each other. The bounces would be unpredictable.)

One form of collision is that between the tackler and runner. Another one is that which occurs between the foot of the kicker and the football. Gay's equations show how the force of the kicking leg, including its angular velocity, is transferred to the ball. The forces of football-related kicks are computed. Record-setting punts and field goals are featured and examined. The spin of the football is also factored.

A bibliography contains references for further study. As an experienced science teacher, I think that this book would serve as an excellent supplement to high school and early-college physics courses.

I bought this book for my son to use to help him with a school science project. It was great, it had so much information that really helped him turn in a great project!