The Physics of Football

Ponca City, We Love You writes "There will be a program on applied physics and real time strategy that you might want to watch on television today. Conservation of momentum during elastic and inelastic collisions is one aspect on which to focus as players tackle their opponents. It is of critical importance that the Patriots bring down New York's huge and powerful running back, 6-foot-4, 265-pound Brandon Jacobs. An average-size NFL defensive back's mass combined with his speed — on average, 4.56 seconds for the 40-yard dash — can produce up to 1600 pounds of tackling force. A tackle with half a ton of force may sound like a crippling blow, but the body can handle twice that amount because the player's equipment spreads out the incoming energy, lessening its severity." Nanotech specialists from Cornell have developed their own take on the "physics" of the Super Bowl by creating the world's smallest trophy, which will be awarded today to a contestant who best explains an aspect of football physics. Just some food for thought while you watch the game on your brand new HD television, though you'd better not be watching it in a church.

Comments

Re:Wrong title

[Oktober Sunset]

Wow, it like touches someone feet like a 20 times a game, as opposed to about 20 times in 20 seconds. Also, no-one is using a stupid name like European Football, because unlike the US we are a little more inventive with our sports (as opposed to the only sports invented in the US; rugby with big pads (cos your too girly), netball (girls game) with bouncing and rounders (another girls game) with a big bat, total originality; zero) and there are loads of different types of football here, Association Football is just one of several.