Proposed Subject usage:

Mathematics / Physics (A/AS level)
Sports Science (Degree Yr 1/2)

	AQA Physics A-Level 2009 Specification
	11.1.7 Momentum, conservation of linear momentum Recall and use of p = mv 11.1.8 Newton’s laws of motion. Candidates are expected to know and to be able to apply the three laws in appropriate situations. Force as the rate of change of momentum: F = D(mv) /Dt For constant mass: F = ma

Introduction

Impulse is a measure of what is required to change the motion of an object and is a product of the force applied and the time over which this force is applied.

Using video footage of a sprinter leaving the blocks the impulse applied by the athlete to the blocks and the athlete’s momentum leaving the blocks can be demonstrated. Quintic software allows a variety of kinematic and kinetic variables, such as velocity, acceleration, impulse, momentum and force, to be calculated.

Methods

The video has been digitised and calibrated and still images have been captured from the video to show the stages of the sprint start in detail. The data has been exported into excel and force, momentum and impulse have been calculated (see spreadsheet provided).

Functions of the Quintic Software used:

• Digitisation module
• Calibration
• Export *.avi function
• Interactive graph and data displays
• Export data
• Multiple image capture

Results

		Front foot	Rear foot
	Initial Velocity (ms-1)	0.11	0.19
	Final Velocity (ms-1)	7.43	6.27
	Initial Momentum (kgms-1)	9.02	15.58
	Final Momentum (kgms-1)	609.26	514.14
	Change in Momentum (kgms-1)	600.24	498.56
	Impulse Time (s)	0.36	0.28
	Maximum Force (N)	607.84	515.12
	Maximum Acceleration (ms-2)	74.13	62.82
	Impulse (Ns)	600.52	498.01

The results demonstrate that the front foot produces a higher velocity, acceleration, and therefore momentum than the rear foot and consequently the impulse produced by the front foot is also greater. This increase in acceleration from back to front (following the athlete’s centre of mass (COM)) helps to propel the sprinter away from the blocks. Notice that (bold in the table):

Impulse = Change in momentum F Dt = mvfinal - mvinitial

As the impulse produced by the athlete is closely related to the velocity and acceleration with which the athlete leaves the block a large impulse is necessary for greater acceleration from the block. Maximum impulse would therefore be obtained by producing a maximal force for a long period of time, therefore obtaining maximal speed from the blocks. However, in a sprint start the reaction time is a major variable in the start efficiency. Thus, in order to remain on the blocks for only a short time the greatest force possible needs to be produced. Performance therefore is determined by the ability of the athlete to generate maximal forces quickly and achieve the optimal impulse output. Forces produced by the feet are illustrated in the graph below:

Conclusion

Coaches working on improving the sprint start can measure impulse using this method and use training principles and programmes to improve the athlete’s rate of force development, thus increasing their impulse from the block. This will improve their overall performance in the event. Each of the variables in the table above can be analysed and improved, aiming to achieve the optimal impulse for the athlete.

Teachers may use this method of calculating performance kinetics to engage students’ interest whilst applying sporting situations to this area of the syllabus. This study can be adapted to compare different athletes or by manipulating the calculations (allowing for different levels of study) to apply this idea to the lesson.

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