The Book of Wildly Spectacular Sports Science: 54 All-Star Experiments

54 thrilling and informative hands-on experiments for young scientists and sports fans alike, illustrating the physics principles in favorite sports from baseball to frisbee.

Why does a knuckleball flutter? Why do belly flops hurt so much? Why would a quarterback prefer a deflated football? Here are 54 all-star experiments that demonstrate the scientific principles powering a wide variety of sports and activities and offer insights that can help you improve your own athletic skills. How does a black belt karate chop her way through a stack of bricks? Use Popsicle sticks to understand why it s possible and learn the role played by Newton s second law of motion. Does LeBron James really float through the air on the way to a dunk? Use a tennis ball, a paperback book, and the help of a friend to understand the science of momentum and the real meaning of hang time. Using common household objects, each project includes step-by-step instructions, tips, and a detailed explanation of how and why the experiment worked. It s a win-win. The thrill of victory, the agony of defeat it s all in the science.