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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.

13 of 163 comments (clear)

  1. Go Giants! by Ang31us · · Score: 2, Funny

    Momentum = Mass * Velocity Brandon Jacobs is HUGE and runs very fast.

  2. football by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

    I didn't even know thay you play football in USA.... Oh, you mean american football. I pity you :)

  3. Why bother with physics when you can just cheat? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

    Why bother with physics when you can just cheat?

    Seriously, what happened with that? The NFL confiscates a bunch of tapes from the Patriots, then destroys them without any comment. Just how much of an advantage did the Patriots get? How much of their undefeated streak is due to ongoing cheating? Why won't anybody in the MSM cover these stories?!

    Go Giants, go fair play!

  4. Rugby... by Bazman · · Score: 4, Funny

    England could do with some of those guys in their rugby team, assuming they don't mind playing without helmets and body armour - oh, and multi-million pound/dollar sponsorship deals...

    So no chance then.

    1. Re:Rugby... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

      And you can't play either of them.

    2. Re:Rugby... by pbhj · · Score: 2, Funny

      >>> usually weigh around 300-350 lbs [21-25 stone for the Brits in the audience]

      We've been metric since before I was born, I'm 31. I'll let you off though as no-one over here seems to have noticed either.

      So it's 135-160 Kg, thanks.

  5. Hey, I'd love to watch it. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    What channel is it on? BBC1? BBC2?

  6. Re:Wrong title by carpe_noctem · · Score: 2, Funny

    Yes, but the ball itself somewhat resembles a foot. So by using those terms, it's not the Europeans who are backwards!

    --
    "Quoting famous computer scientists out of context is the root of all evil (or at least most of it) in programming." - K
  7. Re:Slow news day by Robber+Baron · · Score: 5, Funny

    Must be a slow news day. This is neither "news for nerds" nor "stuff that matters". Sure it is. Now when the jocks beat you up or stuff you in a locker, at least you'll understand a little of the physics behind it.
    --

    You're using her as bait, Master!

  8. Re:Wrong title by RobBebop · · Score: 5, Funny

    Yes, but the ball itself somewhat resembles a foot

    If this is what your foot looks like, sir, then I suggest you seek the help of a professional foot doctor. Your egg-feet will scare the children.

    --
    Support the 30 Hour Work Week!!!
  9. More physics by PPH · · Score: 5, Funny

    I will be conducting a careful study of wave propagation through viscous silicone mediums subject to oscillating vertical acceleration.

    --
    Have gnu, will travel.
  10. Re:Wrong title by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    I know! It's so hard to consider context! I need to be spoonfed my stories!

  11. Re:Wrong title by KDR_11k · · Score: 3, Funny

    I'd also like to shout out to Microsoft for improving HTML to suit their needs...

    --
    Justice is the sheep getting arrested while an impartial judge declares the vote void.