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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.
Hahaha...that's hilarious! New Yorker here (my Giants are playing today)...they kick the ball to open the game (kickoff), after a 6-point score (1 more point after the touchdown), after every score (kickoff), to push the other team back after 3 consecutive failed attempts to advance 10 yards (punt), or to score 3 points if they are within 50 yards of the uprights (field goal).
I'm happy to call it American football if you're okay to call soccer European or world football.
to be fair american football is bit of a girly sport, now rugby that's a man's sport
I find it amusing that the rest of the world sucks up as much American culture as possible, from our music, movies and television shows to going in droves to our crappy McDonald's that are popping up all over the world (hint: McDonald's sucks. Stop going).
But then they get all prissy when we call football football. We call your football soccer, but we call our football football. It's the way we do things over here. If you don't like the names we use for sport, fine. But don't get all in a huff over it.
The Internet is generally stupid
Because no one cares, except people who like to pretend that football has some kind of significance beyond just being gladiator-style entertainment.
Even on Slashdot, I can't escape mention of that ridiculous institution that is professional sports.
"He who can destroy a thing, controls a thing." --Paul Atreides, Dune
Yes but the majority of the non English speaking World also use the word "football" or some variant thereof to refer to soccer rather than the pansy version of rugby that you use to stop the advertising breaks from running together.
All I want is a secure system where it's easy to do anything I want. Is that too much to ask ~~ Randall Munroe
Nah, the moderators are in a very bad mood today. Especially if one makes comments about "football" in this case being "American Football" (otherwise known as rugby for girls). That's guaranteed a -1 Troll or -1 Flamebait mod ;)