Intro
In this episode of Startalk Radio, host Neil deGrasse Tyson explores various scientific phenomena related to sports and physics. From the speed of soccer balls to the stability of bicycles, Tyson and his guests dive into the fascinating world of sports and the laws of physics that govern them.
Main Takeaways
Kicking and Speed in Soccer
- The highest recorded kick in professional soccer is 131 miles per hour by Brazilian player Ronnie Hebersen.
- The design of new soccer balls has enabled them to travel faster, which speeds up the game.
- The compression of the ball when kicked affects its speed and trajectory.
- It’s not a matter of strength, but the speed of your foot that determines how hard you can kick a ball.
The Science of Baseball
- Unraveling a baseball reveals stringy rubber and a small core that contains liquid.
- The core of a baseball affects its weight and how it travels when hit.
Superman’s Abilities and Orbital Speed
- Superman is not as fast as The Flash, but he can catch a bullet.
- Superman has superhuman abilities, including flatulence.
- Orbital speed and escape velocity are related by a formula.
- Escape velocity on dwarf planets like Pluto and Ceres is about a third of a mile per second.
- Big comets like Halley’s Comet have an escape velocity of half a mile per second.
The Beatles vs. The Rolling Stones and the World of Cricket
- The debate between whether the Beatles or the Rolling Stones is the better pop band is a common topic.
- In a comparison between cricket and baseball, both are difficult and “suck”.
- Gary helps to round out the conversation and bring up unexpected topics like cricket.
- Neil deGrasse Tyson played Little League Baseball and was a catcher for the Red Sox team.
- The game of cricket has three stumps in the ground with a little bit of wood on the top called wickets.
- In America, wickets would be considered a lawsuit if placed on a playground.
- Stickball is a game played in the Bronx with a broomstick or a makeshift stick and a ball larger than a baseball.
- The bat used in stickball is twice the size of a baseball bat and flat on one side, making it challenging to hit the ball.
- The aim is to hit the ball as far as possible and score runs by running between wickets or hitting the ball over the boundary.
- Players are not allowed to drop the bat while running and must carry it with them.
- The traditional uniform of a cricket player is all white, but there are different types of players with different specialties.
- Cricket bowlers use spin to confuse batters and there are some talented spin bowlers who can make the ball do a 45 degree cut across the batter.
- Cricket is the number one sport in India and has a rich history with England.
- The Magnus effect plays a big role in the science of cricket and can cause the ball to curve in unexpected ways.
- Batsmen can use the flat or angled side of the bat to hit the ball.
- International cricket games can take up to four days to complete.
- Cricket has a dedicated audience due to its patient and strategic nature, as well as the challenge of facing fast-paced bowlers.
- Different formats of cricket, such as T20 or IPL, have shorter game times and are similar to baseball.
Stability in Motion: Bicycles and Motorcycles
- Motorcycles can stand up on their own due to gyroscopic stabilization, but recent experiments suggest that wheels spinning in opposite directions can also cancel out angular momentum.
- The scene in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid where a bicycle keeps rolling down a hill without anyone on it is a real phenomenon.
- A system is stable if its center of mass is as low as it could be.
- Weebles are designed to always bring their center of mass as close to the center of the earth as possible.
- Cereal flakes settle at the bottom of the box because they want to get as close to the center of the earth as possible.
- The design of a bicycle allows it to right itself when leaning due to the positioning of the center of mass in the front and back.
- The high wire pole is not used for balancing, but to raise the center of mass.
- The floppy pole allows the center mass to lower and right itself.
- The lowest center mass of the system is the pole plus the wire with the performer on it.
- The weight of an engine on a motorcycle is evenly distributed and not in the front wheel.
- Batteries can be positioned under the front fork or at the bottom of the bike, affecting the center of mass and stability.
- Delivery riders on less stable bikes doing 30 hours an hour down the street with food is a concern.
- The center of mass is always below the wire on a motorcycle, making it stable as you tip.
- Boosting the odds in your favor by training, practice, and physics makes dangerous situations less dangerous.
Summary
The Physics of Sports
In this episode of Startalk Radio, Neil deGrasse Tyson explores the fascinating intersection of sports and physics. From the speed of soccer balls to the stability of bicycles and motorcycles, Tyson and his guests uncover the scientific principles behind these athletic activities.
Powerful Kicks and Soccer Ball Design
The highest recorded kick in professional soccer is 131 miles per hour, and it’s not just about strength but the speed of the foot. The design of soccer balls has evolved to enable faster travel, affecting the speed and trajectory of the ball when kicked.
The Science of Baseball and Cricket
Unraveling a baseball reveals its core, which affects its weight and how it travels when hit. Similarly, cricket has its own unique aspects, such as spin bowlers who can make the ball cut across the batter. Cricket’s rich history and strategic nature make it the number one sport in India.
The Superhuman Abilities of Superman
Superman may not be as fast as The Flash, but he has superhuman abilities, including catching bullets and even flatulence. The concept of escape velocity is explored, with examples from dwarf planets like Pluto and comets like Halley’s Comet.
The Beatles vs. The Rolling Stones and Stickball
The debate between The Beatles and The Rolling Stones is a common topic, showcasing the passion for pop music. Stickball, a game played in the Bronx, involves unique rules and challenges with a larger ball and a bat twice the size of a baseball bat.
The Stability of Bicycles and Motorcycles
The stability of bicycles and motorcycles is explained through the concept of center of mass. From the design of bicycles that allow them to right themselves when leaning to the stability of motorcycles through gyroscopic stabilization, physics plays a crucial role in their motion.
Conclusion
From the speed of soccer balls to the stability of bicycles and motorcycles, the laws of physics govern various aspects of sports. Understanding these principles not only enhances our appreciation for athletic activities but also provides insights into the fascinating world of science.
