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Science of Spin. Tony Purnell 2011 GSEF. How Does Spin Affect the Trajectory of a Kicked Soccer Ball?. Literature Review. Past researchers say that the trajectory of a kicked soccer ball is affected by spin because of kinetic and potential energy. Kinetic energy is used
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Science of Spin Tony Purnell 2011 GSEF
How Does Spin Affect the Trajectory of a Kicked Soccer Ball?
Literature Review • Past researchers say that the trajectory of a kicked soccer ball is affected by spin because of kinetic and potential energy. Kinetic energy is used when the ball is kicked, and potential is used as the ball flies through the air. Others stated that the path of the kicked soccer travels in a curved trajectory, due to air resistance
Hypothesis • When you kick the ball from the right side, the spin will cause the ball to curve towards the left. If you kick the ball from the left side, it will spin towards the right. Kicking the ball square in the center will cause the ball to have no spin, therefore not curving its path. If you kick the call from the top and bottom center, it will have no spin either.
Materials • The items used in this experiment are: a pair of soccer cleats, size 5 Nike soccer ball, and a soccer goal.
Method • To conduct this experiment, I will take a normal sized soccer ball and map out a nine-point grid on the face of the soccer ball. I will then set up the spot from the goal where I will conduct my experiment. Once I finish, I will mark the spot and set the ball up so that the nine-point grid is facing directly towards me. I will then take multiple shots from each point on the grid using the same amount of force. After each shot I will record my data on a diagram as well as notes. After all my data is recorded, I will compare each shot and find how spin affects the trajectory.
Results • When you kick the ball on the left side, it would spin and go to the right. Kicking it on the right side would cause the ball to travel to the left in a curved pattern. Kicking in the center, top, or bottom would just cause the ball to travel straight.
Conclusion • In the end, my hypothesis was correct. The results of my experiment ended just as I predicted. The trajectory was only changed when you kicked it on the left or right side of the ball. Kicking it directly in the middle would impair no spin, causing the ball to travel in the same path.
Discussion • When force is applied to the left side of the ball, the force causes the ball to move faster on the left side than the right, which throws the ball into spinning. The spinning motion of the ball then causes it to curve.