Colin White (colin.white1@physics.org)

Abstract

In this presentation Colin will demonstrate, using an assortment of sports equipment and associated video clips, a range of sport flight phenomena. He will explore such concepts as:

• The ways in which friction, spin, drag and bounce influence projectile paths and hence, game tactics,
• The best launch angle to achieve maximum range for the key throwing apparatus (javelin, discus, hammer)
• The optimum kicking strategies for rugby conversions and soccer penalty shoot-outs,
• The mechanism behind cricket ball spin, swing and reverse swing.

He can, however, be persuaded to expound on any sports his audiences feel are important. Conversations have been known to drift into such areas as:

• How balls can travel further when launched into a headwind,
• Why pro-shuttlecocks utilise feathers from only the right-hand wing of the unfortunate goose,
• How shot put range is affected by where in the world the sports stadium is located, and even the direction of throw; N, S, E or W,
• The chances of survival should your parachute fail while in freefall,
• The best pitching technique for competitive iPhone throwing contests.

Sports players are spirited individuals and, as such, are particularly susceptible to many myths and legends which may surround their chosen sport. A key aspect of this presentation will be the mathematical debunking of some of these ‘perceived wisdoms’. Examples include such phenomena as:

• The ‘late swing’ of a cricket ball and the supposed greater ball swing under conditions of high humidity (neither have been shown to occur).
• The optimum point of impact of a snooker cue onto the white cue ball (seldom the centre of the ball).
• The fact that balls never bounce higher than they are dropped (oh, yes they do – if you are prepared to cheat a little).

Those who have seen Colin perform know that they are in for a presentation that is lively, informative, entertaining and stuffed with anecdotes.

Biography

Colin White is the UK’s foremost authority on the way balls and other sports equipment fly through the air. Following a career in military ballistic science, he worked as a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Physics; then latterly, as Principal Lecturer in the Department of Sport Science at the University of Portsmouth where he taught all aspects of sports equipment design and manufacture.

In 2011 his book, Projectile Dynamics in Sport – Principles and Applications, was published by Routledge and is now considered the definitive authoritative text on all things that are kicked, hit or thrown in the name of sport.

Colin has lectured, presented and otherwise performed to audiences of all ages, abilities and interests (reception class up to retired groups), and at a wide range of venues including theatres and presentations for radio and television. You can follow his ruminations (occasionally relating to balls, other projectiles and sport) on his “BallsBlog” at: https://sportsballs.wordpress.com/

Book website: https://www.routledge.com/products/9780415833141

Email: colin.white1@physics.org

Tel: 07758 329172