How Does Physics Influence Skateboarding Trick Inventions?

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter cracker
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Physics
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion explores the influence of physics on the invention of skateboarding tricks, particularly focusing on Rodney Mullen's contributions. Participants examine the physical principles that may underlie the mechanics of these tricks, as well as the historical context of trick development.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes Rodney Mullen's significant contributions to skateboarding tricks, particularly the kickflip, and questions how his knowledge of physics and math facilitated these inventions.
  • Another participant argues that the physics involved is not particularly advanced, citing basic concepts such as force, work, and energy that are typically covered in high school education.
  • Some participants suggest that understanding skateboarding tricks scientifically involves principles of friction, gravity, motion, acceleration, conservation of momentum, and center of gravity, and that applying these concepts across different coordinate systems could be beneficial.
  • A different viewpoint raises skepticism about the novelty of tricks, pointing out that similar maneuvers, like the ollie, existed in the 1960s, and that the evolution of tricks may be more about combinations and grinding techniques than entirely new inventions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the complexity of the physics involved in skateboarding tricks and the novelty of these tricks over time. There is no consensus on the extent to which physics knowledge contributes to trick invention.

Contextual Notes

Some discussions may depend on varying definitions of what constitutes a "new" trick and the historical context of skateboarding evolution. The application of physical principles may also be influenced by individual interpretations and experiences.

cracker
Messages
37
Reaction score
0
Ok so there is this guy name Rodney Mullen who invented tons and tons of skateboarding tricks and he is most known for inventing the kickflip which then lead to several other tricks.

So I have heard people say that he was able to invent these tricks and several other tricks because of his knowledge of physics and math. So how is this possible? What were some of the properties of physics that he applied to be able to invent these tricks?

Here is some of his footage:

This is some of his most technical stuff: [MEDIA=youtube]DkYW6Jyw0vE[/MEDIA][/URL]

This is some older footage (bad music): [PLAIN][MEDIA=youtube]vs5Oe7unAwA[/MEDIA][/URL]

And this is his newest footage its good but not as good: [PLAIN][MEDIA=youtube]pPTtdPn-VSY[/MEDIA][/URL]

Oh and Rodney Mullen went to college for about 4 years and tuck Bio Medical Engineering and had a 3.96 average.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
there's nothing really very advanced about it. Namely force, work, and energy...All things you learn about in High School.
 
Understanding these tricks from a scientific perspective would require understanding principles of friction, gravity, motion, acceleration. Concepts such as conservation of momentum and center of gravity also have importance. It might be useful to be able to apply these concepts to cartesian, cylindrical, and spherical coordinates systems.
 
I'm not sure how many tricks are really that new.

In the 1960's kids were jumping up curbs with their boards, the original ollie.

The main difference is all the jumps combos and grinding moves, this would have broke the old skateboards.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 120 ·
5
Replies
120
Views
40K
Replies
119
Views
7K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
7K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
5K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
611
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
4K
Replies
1
Views
3K