Savanas pp
- 1. The Physics of Surfing Savana Mcmillon Mr. G Period 7 Wednesday, May 9, 2012
- 2. Mass and Shape The surfboard and its rider both have a center of gravity, which is related to their shape and mass. When riding the waves, the rider can move his center of gravity to shift the board's angle in the water. For example, moving toward the tail of the board will cause the nose to lift up from the water in response to catching a wave.
- 3. Newton’s 3rd Law According to Newton's third law, every action has an equal and opposite reaction. When a rider pushes down one edge of the board, that edge pushes into the water, which pushes back up against the board. As a result, the board starts to turn. (F=MA)
- 4. Gravity and Buoyancy When you are lying on your board in still water waiting for the next wave, there are two important forces at work: gravity and buoyancy. Gravity: This force pulls on every atom in you and in your board—yet it behaves as if it were acting just at your center of mass. For most people, their center of mass is located behind their navel in the middle of their body when they’re standing up straight. Your center of mass is your balance point. Buoyancy:This is an upward force created by the still water pushing up on the board and is known as a hydrostatic force.
- 5. Torque When the surfer moves back on the board, gravity and buoyancy move out of alignment and create a torque, a twisting force, on the surfboard. The board rotates until the forces are
- 6. Work Cited 1 http://www.exo.net/~pauld/ activities/surfing/ physicsofsurfing.html 2 http://blackmagic.com/ses/surf/ papers/physicsgrm.html