The Physics Behind the Football Throw
(Inside Science) -- As football season gets underway, fans get pumped up to watch their favorite team hit the field. All the players are crucial to help win the game, but often it's the quarterback who's watched and critiqued the most. There's enormous pressure for the quarterback to throw a winning touchdown, but throwing the ball isn't as easy as it looks. When you think of football, physics might not be the first subject that comes to mind. But science actually runs deep with the pigskin. Especially when it comes to throwing the ball.
Discussing the best way to throw a football can lead to many different opinions and thoughts, with many people focusing on the grip, the footwork and even the arm motion before release. What you may not hear about as much is the physics involved but understanding the science can help you take your throwing skills to the next level. Several factors come into play, such as the aerodynamics, distance and forces involved.
Tim Gay is a physicist and an avid football fan, and he put together his knowledge of both to help fellow fans learn more.
The Physics Behind the Football Throw: Wakati msimu wa mpira wa miguu unapoanza, mashabiki wanashangilia kuona timu yao inayopendwa ikiingia uwanjani. Wachezaji wote ni muhimu kusaidia kushinda mchezo, lakini mara nyingi ni quarterback ambaye ni watched na kukosolewa zaidi. Kwa sababu ya shinikizo kubwa kwa quarterback kutupa touchdown ya kushinda, kutupa mpira sio rahisi kama inavyoonekana. Unapofikiria mpira wa miguu, huenda fizikia isiwe somo la kwanza linalokuja akilini. Lakini sayansi kwa kweli inaendesha kina na ngozi ya nguruwe. Hasa linapokuja suala la kutupa mpira. Kuzungumzia njia bora ya kutupa mpira wa miguu kunaweza kusababisha maoni na mawazo mengi tofauti, na watu wengi kuzingatia kukamata, kazi ya miguu na hata mwendo wa mkono kabla ya kutolewa. Lakini unajua kwamba kuna mambo mengi ya fizikia yanayohusika, lakini kuelewa sayansi inaweza kukusaidia kuchukua ujuzi wako wa kutupa hadi ngazi inayofuata. Mambo kadhaa huchezwa, kama vile aerodynamics, umbali na nguvu zinazohusika. Tim Gay ni mwanafizikia na shabiki wa mpira wa miguu, na aliweka pamoja maarifa yake ya wote wawili kusaidia mashabiki wenzake kujifunza zaidi.