Investigation Of The Factors That Affect Curved Path Of A Smooth Ball

This essay is focused on an investigation of spin(revolution per second) of a ball and its effect on the ball’s curved motion in the air. When a ball is hit and spinning in the air, it leaves its straight route and follows a curved path instead. In the following experiment the reasons and results of this curved path (deflection) is examined. In the experiment, the exerted force on the ball and its application point on the ball is changed. The ball was hit by 3 different tension levels of a spring mechanism and their deflection values were measured. Spin of the ball was also recorded via a video camera. Likewise, the location of the spring mechanism was also changed to hit from close to the end and the geometric center of the ball. The spin of the ball was also recorded and its deflection was measured. By analysing this experiment, one can see that the spin of a ball is an important factor in its curve. The curve of a ball can be increased by spinning it more in the air. So to create more spin one can increase the exerted force on the ball or apply the force close to the end of the ball. By using this information on the exerted force and its location one can shoot a ball while adjusting its spin to make it curve as desired