Connecting Kinematics To Rugby
Looking at the theories of kinematics it is no question that it is applied all over the rugby field. Anything from a ball soaring in the air, a kick being launched or a player running can be linked back to kinematics. The study of kinematics is a branch of classical mechanics that describes the motion of points, objects or groups of objects without considering the causes of motion. The two rugby topics that will be focused on for kinematics is passing a rugby ball and kicking a rugby ball.
The Rugby Pass
To show you the relationship between physics and a rugby pass we will take the stats of the average rugby player and calculate the velocity the pass will make. The average rugby player can pass a ball 20 meters in 1.84 seconds. For a 20 meter throw the velocity of the ball will not slow down too much because there is not enough distance for it to do so. And a good rugby pass should stay at the same height from point A to point B.
Max Height: A rugby ball is released roughly 1 meter above the ground during a pass. Since the ball stays at a constant height the max height of the ball will remain at 1m.
Average Velocity: The average velocity of a rugby pass is 10.87 m/s. .
t = 1.84s Vav = d/t
d = 20m Vav = (20)/(1.84)
Vav = 10.87 m/s
To show you the relationship between physics and a rugby pass we will take the stats of the average rugby player and calculate the velocity the pass will make. The average rugby player can pass a ball 20 meters in 1.84 seconds. For a 20 meter throw the velocity of the ball will not slow down too much because there is not enough distance for it to do so. And a good rugby pass should stay at the same height from point A to point B.
Max Height: A rugby ball is released roughly 1 meter above the ground during a pass. Since the ball stays at a constant height the max height of the ball will remain at 1m.
Average Velocity: The average velocity of a rugby pass is 10.87 m/s. .
t = 1.84s Vav = d/t
d = 20m Vav = (20)/(1.84)
Vav = 10.87 m/s
The Rugby Kick
In rugby, a conversion kick is what follows after a try is scored. The ball is placed 22m away from the uprights and is kicked off the ground towards the try-zone. The average rugby conversion kick will reach 22m in 1.54 seconds. In most cases the maximum height of a conversion kick will be reached as it crosses the uprights.
Average Velocity: The average velocity of a conversion kick is 14.29 m/s.
t = 1.54s Vav = d/t
d = 22m Vav = (22)/(1.54)
Vav = 14.29 m/s
Now we are going to find how far the ball could travel before it reaches the ground.
Projectile Motion: The ball will hit the ground in 53.5m.
Aav = 0 m/s2 d = (vi)(t) + (1/2)(Aav)(t)2
Vi = 14.29 m/s d = (14.29)(3.08) + (1/2)(0)(3.08)2
t = 3.08s d = 44 + 9.5
d = ? d = 53.5m
In rugby, a conversion kick is what follows after a try is scored. The ball is placed 22m away from the uprights and is kicked off the ground towards the try-zone. The average rugby conversion kick will reach 22m in 1.54 seconds. In most cases the maximum height of a conversion kick will be reached as it crosses the uprights.
Average Velocity: The average velocity of a conversion kick is 14.29 m/s.
t = 1.54s Vav = d/t
d = 22m Vav = (22)/(1.54)
Vav = 14.29 m/s
Now we are going to find how far the ball could travel before it reaches the ground.
Projectile Motion: The ball will hit the ground in 53.5m.
Aav = 0 m/s2 d = (vi)(t) + (1/2)(Aav)(t)2
Vi = 14.29 m/s d = (14.29)(3.08) + (1/2)(0)(3.08)2
t = 3.08s d = 44 + 9.5
d = ? d = 53.5m