Applying Newtons Laws To Sports

Question 1

What is balance?
Types of balance
Examples

Answer 1

The ability to neutralise forces that disturb equilibrium

Static balance- stationary
-eg. Standing on one leg

Dynamic balance- moving
-eg. Scooping up a ball on the run

Question 2

List the factors affecting balance and stability

Answer 2

• centre of gravity
• mass of object
• size of base of support
• height of centre of gravity above base of support
• position of the line of gravity relative to base of support
• increasing size of the base of support in direction of oncoming force
• horizontally positioning centre of gravity near edge of base of support on side of external force

Question 3

How does centre of gravity affect balance and stability

Answer 3

• point around a bodies weight equally balanced in all directions
• COG when standing is in abdominal cavity
• position changes, so does COG
• position of COG determines whether body is balanced

Question 4

How does mass of object affect stability and balance?

Answer 4

The greater the mass, the greater the stability

-eg. Sumo wrestlers

Question 5

How does size of base of support affect balance and stability?

Answer 5

The greater the area of support, the greater the stability

Question 6

How does COG above base of support affect balance and stability?

Answer 6

• The higher the COG above the base of support, the less stable the object is
• Athletes bends at the knees to lower COG to increase stability

Question 7

How does the position of the line of gravity relative to the base of support affect balance and stability?

Answer 7

• Line of gravity is an imaginary vertical line passing downwards through COG.
• Closer the line of gravity is to the limits of the base of support, the less stability of the object
• Movement is the easier when line of gravity falls outside objects base of support

Question 8

Factors affecting force production

Answer 8

Inertia- greater the mass of an object, more force (greater inertia) needed to move object

Mass- greater the mass of an object, the more force needed to move it

Velocity- more force is needed to continue velocity in a direction

Momentum- greater the momentum, more force needs to be applied to stop or slow down object

Impulse- longer force can be applied to an object, greater the size of force applied, greater the objects impulse

Acceleration- the more acceleration/faster speed that is needed to an object, the more force that needs to be applied

Conservation of momentum- the force of two objects that clash, momentum of one object is transferred with the other, no change in momentum, transfer of momentum, a lot of force produced then all force released on impact

Elasticity- more force needed to stretch or compress it- once it returns to normal shape, force exits the object

Question 9

What is stability?
Types of stability
Examples

Answer 9

Objects resistance to movement, from a balanced position
Static stability- object is at rest - not moving linear or angular motion
-eg. Weightlifting
Dynamic stability- object is in motion - moving with linear or angular motion
-eg. Swimming