Many fans watch the World Cup and enjoy powerful shots, bending corner kicks and spectacular saves. An expert explains that these moments also show basic physics. He points to three important factors that affect the ball: forces, momentum and air pressure. These ideas help describe how the ball moves during a match.
Powerful shots show how forces act on the ball. Bending corner kicks show how motion can change direction. Spectacular saves involve speed, mass and contact when a player stops the ball. Watching matches can help people connect what they see with concepts taught in school.
Difficult words
- force — push or pull that changes motionforces
- momentum — measure of motion that depends on mass and speed
- air pressure — force of air pushing on an object
- mass — amount of matter in an object
- contact — physical touch between two objects or surfaces
- motion — movement of an object from one place
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Have you seen a corner kick that bent the ball? Describe it.
- How can watching matches help you understand school science ideas?
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