As the World Cup continues, many fans notice powerful shots, bending corner kicks and spectacular saves. An expert offers answers about the physics behind these plays. Michigan State University physicist Stuart Tessmer explains how basic concepts can describe what happens on the pitch.
Tessmer points to three broad factors that affect play and the ball's path: forces, momentum and air pressure. He says powerful shots reflect how forces act on the ball, bending corner kicks show changes in motion and direction, and spectacular saves involve interactions of speed, mass and contact.
The explanation gives viewers a way to connect what they see on the field with science taught in classrooms. The post appeared first on Futurity and links a global sporting event to basic physics that can prompt further discussion.
Difficult words
- physics — the study of matter, energy and motion
- force — a push or pull that changes motionforces
- momentum — the strength of a moving object's motion
- air pressure — force of air pushing on a surface
- spectacular — very impressive or exciting to watch
- interaction — when things affect each other by contactinteractions
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 football play that made you curious about physics? Describe it briefly.
- How could a teacher use World Cup clips to teach one physics idea from the article?
- Which factor from the article — forces, momentum or air pressure — seems most interesting to you, and why?
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