We are living in the century of science and technology and introduction of science

has transformed our lives. When people had no idea about it, even then their
lives were governed by principles of different branches of science. There is no
single activity which cannot be defined by science, starting from lighting a candle,
to even the working of our organ systems and even the great geographical
wonders of our earth. Today I will be specially focusing on the applications of
physics in the arena of sports

“Physics”: When you hear that one word, you get chills down your spine.
Normally people associate the subject to “geniuses”: that is the sole reason why
we tend to get intimidated on the thought of it. However it is that branch of
science which can explain every single thing around us: from the ever expanding
galaxies to even sports. Sport has and always will be an integral part of our lives,
especially in us growing children. To excel at any sport, mere athleticism is not
enough. As a result, sportsmen develop good technique to gain an advantage
over their competitors. Most of these “tricks” are of course, applications of
physics. Each and every sport has its’ own physical applications which dominate
the entire essence of playing it.

Let us take some simple examples. Do you know why athletes during pole vaulting
or even before taking a high or a long jump run a particular distance? The answer
is due to inertia. It is that driving force which carries the athlete to a long distance
and even makes them cross the bar. In swimming, why does a swimmer push
water backwards? He does it, so that the water can exert an equal force but in
the opposite direction which propels him forward. This is also the same reason for
which boatmen use oars of different lengths to gain velocities as per their
requirements. Have you ever noticed that javelin throwers throw the javelin at a
particular angle with respect to the ground level? They do this in order to gain
maximum horizontal displacement from their point of projection and thus
assuring victory.

Even friction plays an important role in sports, namely in cycling, motor racing etc.
Since the vehicles move at top speed, the frictional force prevents it from
skidding, thus acting as an efficient control for speed. Cyclists even tie their
bodies close to the frames of their bikes in order to control the magnitude of
frictional force acting on it.

In ball games have you ever observed the deflection of the ball from its path?
That is spinning in cricket or even curled “finesse” shots in football? Why does this
happen in the first place? Let me tell you it is not magic, but an advanced
phenomenon in physics called the “Magnus Effect”. Basically the ball moves so
fast that it drags air on one side that it creates a pressure difference causing the
“supernatural” deviation from its’ projected path. Figure skaters can take fast
and rapid turns due to conservation of a physical parameter called “angular
momentum. Torque, or the rotating effect of a force is also a concept related to
throwing. When a bowler wants to make a quicker throw, they shorten their
throwing arm which decreases the torque. When a longer throw is being made
they increase the length of their throwing arms to increase the torque, naturally.

Today physics and other branches of science influences so many different things
that trying to list them all would mean this address could go on forever. Science
has influenced every single facet of our lives. We all should understand that
Science is not just about new technology, inventions or new medicines. Science is
about a whole lot more than that and to sum it up we believe that science is a
way of helping the brain grow in finding new knowledge and helps us increase our
curiosity of how the world develops and works today.
Wishing you all a very happy World Science Day!