Lesson 3 Sports and Science Get Along
Lesson 3 Sports and Science Get Along
through sports. Look at sprinters running through the that a human being could probably run the
field or baseballs flying into the catcher's glove. The 100-meter sprint in just over nine seconds. Maybe
precision and power they show seem like magic. future technology will help runners run even faster
but they can take twice as many steps as we do. Why Do Curlers Sweep the Ice?
This is why they can run fast. "Hurry! Hurry up!" Two people with brooms furiously
The problem for humans is that the harder they hit sheet of ice. "Whoa!" The sweepers stop as the rock
the ground, the more time they spend in the air, settles into the house. "Nice job!" All four players
which makes their steps longer but reduces the
bump fists indicating success. Have you guessed the
number of steps they can take. Therefore, maximum
sport? It's called curling.
running speed is attained when the combination of
optimal.
One might expect that a curling stone sliding across Why Does a Baseball Have Stitches?
the ice would continue in a straight line according to
The batter swings and hits a foul ball into the
Newton's first law of motion. However, the stone will stands. You reach up with your glove and catch it as
This is why players have to direct the stone's path red stitches. Do the stitches serve a purpose other
By rubbing the ice with the broom, the sweepers They serve more than just a decorative function. The
by an opponent's stone, curling teams can actually part of the ball hits the air, increasing the air
with which the team can control the direction and difference in air pressure creates an unwanted effect
of the game.
and slows it down. This is where the stitches come
into play.
reduces friction. Reduced inwards towards the back of the ball. This effectively
friction helps the stone move increases the net air pressure at the back of the ball,
farther.
which reduces the drag. Further, as a baseball is
Technology Doping
Doping in sports usually involves drugs that players
was found inside her bike frame that gave her extra