Gear of The Week

Have you brushed up on Newton’s laws of motion lately? If not, here’s a book that can help. Football Physics: The Science of The Game is an engaging read that actually makes physics fun and relevant to the average dope like me.

Here’s how the author describes the Immaculate Reception: “Tatum’s hit on Fuqua demonstrated the concept of inelastic collisions and conservation of momentum. And Harris’s lucky reception and his open-field run to the goal line was a textbook example of the physics concepts of acceleration, velocity and two-dimensional motion.”

Forget “The Assassin.” How about: Jack “Inelastic Collider” Tatum? All I know is that anyone who calls Franco Harris lucky is a friend of mine.

The author does a good job of applying and explaining physics across the entire football experience, from crowd noise to playing surfaces, kicking to hitting. Those already inclined toward physics will gobble it up. Personally, it took some effort, but it was time well spent, and the author keeps it relatively basic (as basic as physics can be, anyway).

As we wait for the draft and some free agent action, what better time to investigate the rotational properties of the “prolate spheroid,” also known as the football?