Physics of Basketball as a Projectile
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Velocity Force
The velocity force in blue is usually at an angle, which it depicts in the figure to the right. This is the force that is applied from the player, and usually has a path either to a player, or the the basketball. In a physics format basketball players are using Newtons 2nd law to their advantage. Newtons 2nd law is F=ma, where: m=the mass of the basketball a= the acceleration of the basketball in a directed path. Spin Spin usually happens as the ball is passed, shot, or dribbled in the game of basketball. This is a very necessary force needed to have an optimal basketball shot from any where on the court. Depending on how much force you apply to the ball as it leaves your hands, this will determine just how much spin is on the basketball. Magnus Force This force is the combination of the Velocity Force and the Spin applied to the basketball. This is a force we see in most sports. As a basketball is in a direct path somewhere and has back spin, whether its soccer, basketball, golf or baseball, it will have a Magnus force pushing the object upward. Gravity People think that gravity is the only force opposing the velocity force on a basketball, however there are multiple forces acting on the basketball as it is projected in the air;however, gravity is probably this biggest influence on the basketball. Drag Drag is the air flow from the path of the object, in this case the basketball. Drag usually opposes the path of the basketball, which is why the ball slows down. The air molecules basically |
Figure 1 shows the different forces applied to the basketball as it takes flight.
https://physicsofbasketball.wordpress.com/2014/05/18/forces-acting-on-a-basketball-in-flight/ |