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Physics of Tennis
These four lessons focus on the role of physics in the game of tennis. The resource is most appropriate for students aged 14 to16 and post-16 physics students and include lessons on: D-T / V-T graphs, Energy transfer, Vibrations, and Balancing forces.
In D-T and V-T graphs, students learn how to interpret distance-time and velocity-time graphs, they look at components of velocity and analyse their own graphs.
In Energy transfer, students look at the transfer of potential to kinetic energy and are shown how to measure the apparent coefficient of restitution of a tennis racket.
In Vibrations, students can observe the oscillating motion of a frame to look at wave amplitude, frequency, wavelength and damping.
Balancing forces investigates shoe friction, traction and force with the view to students calculating a coefficient of friction for their own shoes.
The resource was compiled by Cooke Associates on behalf of the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) with the support of the Science Enhancement Programme.
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