Physics of Sports Video:
"Baseball, hot dogs, apple pie, and Chevrolet." The definition of America includes sports. We've played sports with family and friends for years. In our second STEM project, we looked closer at sports we play everyday. Our group researched the physics behind pitching a fastball in baseball. Here's the movie we made to explain our calculations and physic concepts behind a fastball:
"Baseball, hot dogs, apple pie, and Chevrolet." The definition of America includes sports. We've played sports with family and friends for years. In our second STEM project, we looked closer at sports we play everyday. Our group researched the physics behind pitching a fastball in baseball. Here's the movie we made to explain our calculations and physic concepts behind a fastball:
This project was very abrupt since we had a tight deadline. We met many challenges, but the largest struggle was probably time management. Our group, especially, were racing to meet the deadline, but we made it. Jason Franks, Kyle Jones, Amritha Somasekar, and I started off on a great foot. We planned step by step including graphics we needed and a very specific script. This made the shooting process go very smooth. Here are our script and storyboard below: (You'll see from the crossing out that we went through a lot of trial and error.)
Next, we had to calculate the physics involved in throwing a baseball. Here were our 5 steps of physics:
1. Rotate body and Lift Leg in wind up.
Equation - Mechanical advantage = distance of the axle over the distance of the wheel (input distance over output distance)
2. Rotation in wind up. - Torque.
3. Baseball's Velocity.
Equations - Horizontal Velocity = distance over time
- Vertical Velocity = Acceleration x time
- Total Velocity = Pythagorean Theorem(founded in 500 BC by Pythagorus and students in Greece) = a squared + b squared=c squared
4. Release Baseball.
Equations - Impulse = Momentum therefore Force x time = mass x velocity. ( Solve for Force)
5. Impulse on mitt.
Equations - Impulse = Force x time
Don't be fooled by how it looks now. These calculations took us three times to perfect, as shown below:
1. Rotate body and Lift Leg in wind up.
Equation - Mechanical advantage = distance of the axle over the distance of the wheel (input distance over output distance)
2. Rotation in wind up. - Torque.
3. Baseball's Velocity.
Equations - Horizontal Velocity = distance over time
- Vertical Velocity = Acceleration x time
- Total Velocity = Pythagorean Theorem(founded in 500 BC by Pythagorus and students in Greece) = a squared + b squared=c squared
4. Release Baseball.
Equations - Impulse = Momentum therefore Force x time = mass x velocity. ( Solve for Force)
5. Impulse on mitt.
Equations - Impulse = Force x time
Don't be fooled by how it looks now. These calculations took us three times to perfect, as shown below:
So, how did we know what to plan? Mr. Craig Pitti, San Marin High athletic director and varsity boys basketball coach, sent STEM Marin a letter asking for physics videos for each sport. Maybe by knowing the physics, we could improve our performance in sports. For example, our group found ways to improve in pitching. The longer you pull your arm back, the more power you have. This is because your shoulders and body serve as a wheel and axle. When your shoulders go a larger distance, you have a larger mechanical advantage. If the mechanical advantage is greater than one, it is easier and more power. If it is less than one, it is harder and less power, like weight lifting machines. Our goal was to help baseball players improve their game. I hope our group made a difference. Hey, maybe one of the San Marin High baseball players will play in the world series someday. Because of our video...obviously.
After thorough planning, we started shooting. We head over to our San Marin softball field and measured where the baseball mound should be. Jason and Kyle pitched about a hundred fastballs. One of the challenges we faced was that Kyle is a lefty and Jason only had a righty catcher's mitt. With practice, Kyle adapted to the resources we were provided. One of the perks about the shooting was I learned how to use a professional camera. This experience really enlightened me on new technology.
Next came the editing. This is what bit us in the butt. We faced challenges with the computer and the editing system. For example, one day our computer died and we wasted a whole hour of work. Or when we couldn't figure out how to line up the audio and music. This is where we fell behind. I have to give credit to our group because we worked through several lunches to finish our video. I thought we worked well as a team.
Reflection:
1. Things I enjoyed on this project: I enjoyed the hands on work of this project. We were able to shoot the baseball pitch alone on the softball field. This gave us independence, much like in the work field. I also enjoyed the usefulness of our project. We always just go through the motions of sports without thinking about how it actually works logically. We can improve our sports abilities consistently knowing the laws of physics.
2. Things we did well: We started off really well, planning the movie. When we started filming and editing, it was very concrete what we needed to get done. The script was clear and made the process flow easily. The storyboard made the editing efficient, also.
3. New skills I learned about myself: I learned mostly about time management. We started to run behind by taking advantage of the time given in class. I think ahead instead of in the moment. This can take away work time. Also, and most importantly, I learned to be patient. There were many situations when the computer died, or we couldn't figure out how to transfer videos and music. When I was angry, the time was a waste. By just taking a deep breath, the process went much smoother.
4. Things that were challenging: The most challenging part of our project was trying to transfer YouTube clips and music to Windows Movie Maker. After frustration, we finally figured it out. By emailing it, we downloaded the music or video as a file. This took many people to accomplish, but worked out after many failures and computer overloads.
5. Things I can work on: I could work on my skills with technology. I am a hands on learner that loves labs and building. With the movie, I was confused on the downloads, exporting, and more. With more experience, I plan to be more educated on technology and its programs. Also, I need to work on relaxing and letting others lead. Sometimes, I find myself to be too bossy and controlling. All in all, when everyone pitches in equally, we have a better product.
6. Improvements to the process for next time: We started ahead of everyone in the planning. We waited too long to do the shooting and editing. This caused an automatic setback. In the future, we need to push forward and be prepared early. We need to bring the needed materials everyday so our work process can move smoothly without any bumps in the road. For example, when the computer died, we did not have a charger. We wasted a whole hour of work. If we were focused and prepared, our video would have been done in a timely manner.
Peaks: 1. Great Planning
2. Creative ideas like pausing the shot for each step
Pits: 1. Computer died and there was no charger (wasting time)
2. Couldn't figure out how to transfer YouTube clips (frustration)
Physics Concepts:
1. Mechanical Advantage - ratio of effort to the machine's work (machines tasks easier or harder)
MA >1 = easier MA< 1 = harder
- The farther the arm oves back, the more mechanical advantage it has. Therfore, it can throw farther.
2. Torque - work in a circular motion (wheels on car) - Example. The power from the body's circular motion.
3. Projectile Motion - parabola with force of both horizontal and vertical velocity (combine to find total velocity)
- The basebal follows a path like a parabola. When the body throws it, it has vertical and horizontal velocity.
3. Velocity - speed with direction of motion
- The baseball's speed and direction.
4. Force - vector quantity; push or pull; influence that accelerates object
- The power the baseball travels with.
5. Impact - longer impact (hit time) = less force because it is distributed
- When the ball hits the mitt, it distributes force that is more powerful the less time it hits the mitt before stopping. (Not enough time to spread the energy)
6. Impulse- force factoring in the force of the ball and the time it hits the mitt
- The more time the ball hits the mitt, the less impulse it has. Our baseball had less time, so more impulse.
7. Gravitational Potential Energy - the higher the position of the object, the more energy it will have.
- When the baseball started higher, it had more power in kinetic energy (motion).
For more videos involving physics and sports, go to this link: http://search.espn.go.com/sports-science/video/6
Next came the editing. This is what bit us in the butt. We faced challenges with the computer and the editing system. For example, one day our computer died and we wasted a whole hour of work. Or when we couldn't figure out how to line up the audio and music. This is where we fell behind. I have to give credit to our group because we worked through several lunches to finish our video. I thought we worked well as a team.
Reflection:
1. Things I enjoyed on this project: I enjoyed the hands on work of this project. We were able to shoot the baseball pitch alone on the softball field. This gave us independence, much like in the work field. I also enjoyed the usefulness of our project. We always just go through the motions of sports without thinking about how it actually works logically. We can improve our sports abilities consistently knowing the laws of physics.
2. Things we did well: We started off really well, planning the movie. When we started filming and editing, it was very concrete what we needed to get done. The script was clear and made the process flow easily. The storyboard made the editing efficient, also.
3. New skills I learned about myself: I learned mostly about time management. We started to run behind by taking advantage of the time given in class. I think ahead instead of in the moment. This can take away work time. Also, and most importantly, I learned to be patient. There were many situations when the computer died, or we couldn't figure out how to transfer videos and music. When I was angry, the time was a waste. By just taking a deep breath, the process went much smoother.
4. Things that were challenging: The most challenging part of our project was trying to transfer YouTube clips and music to Windows Movie Maker. After frustration, we finally figured it out. By emailing it, we downloaded the music or video as a file. This took many people to accomplish, but worked out after many failures and computer overloads.
5. Things I can work on: I could work on my skills with technology. I am a hands on learner that loves labs and building. With the movie, I was confused on the downloads, exporting, and more. With more experience, I plan to be more educated on technology and its programs. Also, I need to work on relaxing and letting others lead. Sometimes, I find myself to be too bossy and controlling. All in all, when everyone pitches in equally, we have a better product.
6. Improvements to the process for next time: We started ahead of everyone in the planning. We waited too long to do the shooting and editing. This caused an automatic setback. In the future, we need to push forward and be prepared early. We need to bring the needed materials everyday so our work process can move smoothly without any bumps in the road. For example, when the computer died, we did not have a charger. We wasted a whole hour of work. If we were focused and prepared, our video would have been done in a timely manner.
Peaks: 1. Great Planning
2. Creative ideas like pausing the shot for each step
Pits: 1. Computer died and there was no charger (wasting time)
2. Couldn't figure out how to transfer YouTube clips (frustration)
Physics Concepts:
1. Mechanical Advantage - ratio of effort to the machine's work (machines tasks easier or harder)
MA >1 = easier MA< 1 = harder
- The farther the arm oves back, the more mechanical advantage it has. Therfore, it can throw farther.
2. Torque - work in a circular motion (wheels on car) - Example. The power from the body's circular motion.
3. Projectile Motion - parabola with force of both horizontal and vertical velocity (combine to find total velocity)
- The basebal follows a path like a parabola. When the body throws it, it has vertical and horizontal velocity.
3. Velocity - speed with direction of motion
- The baseball's speed and direction.
4. Force - vector quantity; push or pull; influence that accelerates object
- The power the baseball travels with.
5. Impact - longer impact (hit time) = less force because it is distributed
- When the ball hits the mitt, it distributes force that is more powerful the less time it hits the mitt before stopping. (Not enough time to spread the energy)
6. Impulse- force factoring in the force of the ball and the time it hits the mitt
- The more time the ball hits the mitt, the less impulse it has. Our baseball had less time, so more impulse.
7. Gravitational Potential Energy - the higher the position of the object, the more energy it will have.
- When the baseball started higher, it had more power in kinetic energy (motion).
For more videos involving physics and sports, go to this link: http://search.espn.go.com/sports-science/video/6