Physics of Aerials
During the directing and filming of the video, my group and I had to make some calculations to better understand aerials. The biggest component of the project was understanding velocity and force, but there are other calculations that were included in this aspect of the project.
The Horizontal Velocity of the Athlete:
Velocity = distance/time
V = 8.18 m. / 2.56 sec.
Velocity = 3.20 m/sec
Momentum of the Athlete Over the Course of the Action:
Momentum = mass x velocity
p = 54.3 kg x 3.20 m/sec
p = 173.76 kg m/s
Force Exerted on the Ground at Initiation of the Aerial Cartwheel:
Force x time = mass x velocity
Force x 0.1 sec = 54.3 kg x 3.20 m/sec
Force x 0.1 s = 173.76 kg m/s
Force = 173.76 kg m/s / 0.1 s
Force = 1,737.6 N or 1,738 N
Force That Pulls Down the Performer at the top of the Aerial:
Force = mass x acceleration due to gravity
F = 54.3 kg x 9.8 m/s squared
Force = 532.14 N
Potential Energy at the Zenith of the Action:
Potential Energy = mass x acceleration due to gravity x height
PE = 54.3 kg x 9.8 m/s squared x 0.49 m
PE = 260.75 J
Average Kinetic Energy Throughout the Action:
Kinetic Energy = 1/2 x mass x velocity squared
KE = 1/2 x 54.3 kg x (3.20 m/s) squared
KE = 278.02 J
The Horizontal Velocity of the Athlete:
Velocity = distance/time
V = 8.18 m. / 2.56 sec.
Velocity = 3.20 m/sec
Momentum of the Athlete Over the Course of the Action:
Momentum = mass x velocity
p = 54.3 kg x 3.20 m/sec
p = 173.76 kg m/s
Force Exerted on the Ground at Initiation of the Aerial Cartwheel:
Force x time = mass x velocity
Force x 0.1 sec = 54.3 kg x 3.20 m/sec
Force x 0.1 s = 173.76 kg m/s
Force = 173.76 kg m/s / 0.1 s
Force = 1,737.6 N or 1,738 N
Force That Pulls Down the Performer at the top of the Aerial:
Force = mass x acceleration due to gravity
F = 54.3 kg x 9.8 m/s squared
Force = 532.14 N
Potential Energy at the Zenith of the Action:
Potential Energy = mass x acceleration due to gravity x height
PE = 54.3 kg x 9.8 m/s squared x 0.49 m
PE = 260.75 J
Average Kinetic Energy Throughout the Action:
Kinetic Energy = 1/2 x mass x velocity squared
KE = 1/2 x 54.3 kg x (3.20 m/s) squared
KE = 278.02 J