Speakers
Description
In this talk our interest is on whether we can observe, demonstrate, and perhaps measure at some level the interplay of the effects of air-drag around smooth non-spinning balls, rough balls, and spinning balls (Magnus Force) at speeds available in a classroom environment. Some of this effort came about when looking for simple aerodynamic affects that could be used in an active learning environment in teaching a newly created “Physics of Sports” course. Using easily available tools at home such as cell phones, video analysis, large screen TV, precision alarm clocks, etc, results on the acceleration of gravity from dropping various balls from classroom ceiling heights will be shown. Results on effects due to drag and Magnus forces will also be shown from dropping basketballs and beachballs from tall campus buildings.