Overview
Each and every movement in each and every sport contains a great deal of physics.
In some sports, such as swimming and cross-country, the winner of a competition is
determined by who can move the fastest average speed. Other sports, such as basketball,
figure skating, and ultimate Frisbee, the success depends on accuracy, technique and team
work.
Objectives
Students will design a ppt presentation analyzing the physics of a sport or physical
activity. Students will design a ppt presentation researching information related to the
sport.
Analyze a Sport
Select a sport or physical activity that you would like to study. Choose a sport you
can actually play or observe. Use direct observations and measurements to explore the
dynamics or physics involved in this sport. Suggestions for sports are listed below.
 soccer
 skateboarding
 high jump
 swimming
 running (track)
 weightlifting
 volleyball
 football
 skiing
 golf
 tennis
 gymnastics
 wrestling
 softball
 pole vaulting
 auto racing
 baseball
 snowboarding
 basketball
 hockey
 ult. Frisbee
 biking/cycling
 javelin throw
A. Completing Research: Please take notes and be prepared to hand in your
notes. They maybe hand written or electronic. (see attached sheet)
Explain in detail the physics of specific actions or movements in your sport.
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Include pictures, diagrams, arrows and descriptions to clearly illustrate these actions.
Include the physics terminology you have learned in class. You may include other related
physics terminology that we have not yet addressed (but are directly related).
You can include something that makes the physics in your sport unique compared to other
related sports. You can include the history of the sport as well if you have time.
If you are not finding information, and you have checked all of the recommended resources
listed please ask for assistance! If you need help with your bibliography/citations, please ask!
B. Slide Format
For the sport of your choice, research the following information and include in your
presentation. Each number represents one or more slides.
1. Include a title page with Name of the Sport and your name.
2. Describe the objects in motion in your sport. Do people move around a lot? Do they move
in straight lines or do they change directions? Is a ball, projectile, other equipment the
focal point of the game?
3. Explain how speed is a part of your sport, such as the speed of a served tennis ball or speed
of the runner. Describe how this speed is controlled by the athlete or is changed by their
actions or movements. Think if acceleration is involved.
4. Find at least one example of the Physical Laws (Newton’s Laws)of motion in your sport.
Describe each example as clearly as possible. Use terminology learned in class. (Example:
speed, velocity, acceleration, freefall acceleration, gravity, air resistance, projectile
motion, etc.
5. Other Physics concepts related to your sport. (Include information for at least 2 or more
of the following that relate to your sport- You might need more than one slide to
accomplish this.)
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What forces are involved in your sport? Use arrows to depict the forces acting upon the
athletes in the sport.
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How does weight or mass affect your sport? Does added weight or mass have an advantage
or disadvantage? Are there weight classes to your sport?
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Consider the role friction plays in your sport. In what circumstances is friction desirable?
Undesirable?
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Consider how differences in the atmosphere and gravity between the Earth and on the moon
would affect the play of your sport.
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Describe the parameters (measurements) of the game or sport. Do these parameters affect
the play of the sport. Do they limit the success of the winner?
6. Using your understanding of the physics involved, describe several specific things that an
athlete could use to improve performance or improve the outcome of this sport.
7. Include a Bibliography/Citation slide which has citations for the resources you used. You
should aim to use information from 2 sources.
Additional Slides- Only add these slides in when the others are complete.
+ Include some physics aspect that makes the motion (speed, velocity, acceleration, freefall, etc)
in your sport unique compare to other related sports (use comparison/ statistics (numbers))
+ What is the history of your sport? When and by whom was it invented? How much has it changed
since it was invented? Is there anyone that has made a great impact or contribution to the sport
(explain)
+ a SHORT (less than 1 minute) video clip; must be previewed by the teacher before presentation.
Format Guideline (Reminders)
1. Total of 7-10 creative slides. ( this includes the title and Bibliography slide)
2. Make sure the background does not distract from the information (text) you will be using.
Do not include too much text on anyone slide. Include diagrams, pictures, and illustrations
that relate to your sport. You will lose points if you include unrelated or inappropriate
information.
3. Make sure all terminology and units included are correctly used in your presentation!
(example: Velocity: 23 m/s NOT 23 m)
4. We will be working on the project at the media center on the following dates: Dec. 11, 15,
and 17. If you are absent or if you realize the time allotted for this project will be
insufficient for you to complete the presentation by the Dec 21st due date, please let Mrs.
Beglan know ASAP and please make arrangements to attend PAWS. You may certainly email
the presentation home or copy onto a flashdrive to be worked on at home or you may use
your 365 account so it is accessible both at school and at home.
5. Save the presentation to your student drive. You may save to your own personal
flashdrive, BUT also save to the LHS student drive. If you are working on this at home ( sent
home via the email) you need to email the final presentation to me clbegla@carrollk12.org by
Dec. 21st—alternately you can use your 365 account and share the final presentation with
me.
6. Date of presentations Dec 21 or Dec 23. (Goodies included!)
Rubric for Project: Physics In Sports
Sport Researched:
Name:
Points
Notes (electronic or written)
 Demonstrates research was used to create
the ppt.
 Information in the notes were used to create
the ppt.
 Handed in at the time of the presentation
Format followed:
 7-10 slides
 Slide Format #1-7 ( additional optional) included
 Title and Bibliography/Citation slide included
6
6
Quality/Effort of Research
 Media time was used appropriately to construct a
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thoughtful presentation (loss of pts for wasting
time and being told to complete the assignment)
There is evidence of research- notes have been
taken. (attach notes to this rubric) Information
was not pasted from one source to another.
Attended PAWS or worked at home if needed
Correct usage of Spelling and Grammar
8
Content of Presentation
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Information included in the ppt relates to the
sport as instructed.
Pictures, diagrams, etc. enhanced the
presentation
Physics Terminology used correctly
Quality and effort is demonstrated by the content
information included.
Bonus Material is present.
20
Format Guidelines
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Presentation completed on time.
Presentation is readable and appropriate for the
audience.
Presentation saved to student drive or emailed/
shared with the teacher.
6
Presentation
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Presentation is done respectfully and maturely
(don’t be silly).
Prepared and knowledgeable of the presentation
content. (Know the information you include in
your presentation)
Score
out of 50 pts
4
Comments
PHYSICS IN SPORTS PROJECT – Suggested websites
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http://physics-of-sport.net/ Use the Menu on the Left of the page for an explanation of the sport and the
physics behind it.
http://www.exploratorium.edu/sports/ Lots of information here but lots of distractions too. If you know
you won’t be distracted and are interested in Skateboarding, Cycling, Surfing,
http://www.topendsports.com/biomechanics/sportspecific.htm Lots of information of different sports
here.
http://search.espn.go.com/sports-science/videos/6 This link has videos on the following sports: Track
and Field, Gymnastics, Tennis, Archery, Golf, Freestyle BMX
http://www.real-world-physics-problems.com/physics-of-sports.html There is a lot of information on a
wide variety of sports here. The site requires a lot of reading.
YOU MAY GOOGLE the key vocabulary in order to find relevant information.
For example: Physics of Horse racing, Newton Laws of Motion, Speed in Horse racing, Kinetic energy,
NOTE TAKING INFORMATION
As part of the grade for this project you will be asked to hand in your notes. You can cut and paste any
information you think you will be using. You will be expected to put the information into your own words.
Don’t simply CUT and PASTE onto the ppt.
1. You will be making an electronic copy!! There will not be enough time to hand write notes for this
presentation.
2. You may use the template below or make up your own.
3. To help you keep track of the information you have researched you should include the link for the site
(ctrl + c) the web address and then ( crtl +v) onto your note document.
4. You Should number or label which slide if it helps!
Note Taking: the Cornell Note-taking system, it divides a 8.5″ x 11″ page into three sections: Cue Column (1),
Note taking Column (2) and Summary (3).
http://www.timeatlas.com/cornell-note-template/ (instructions site)
For an electronic copy, scroll down to the Additional resources and open the word doc or click on the link
“Cornell Notes Template for Microsoft Word”