Rod Cross' collisions, sports balls, and silly putty

In summary, Rod Cross, a physicist, has conducted extensive research on the physics of collisions, specifically in relation to sports balls and silly putty. His research has practical applications in the world of sports, helping to improve the design and performance of sports equipment. Studying collisions in sports is significant in understanding the mechanics of the game and can lead to improvements in performance, safety, and fairness. Silly putty is often used as a model for studying collisions, providing valuable insights into real-world scenarios. Cross' research has potential applications in sports, engineering, materials science, and even accident prevention and vehicle safety.
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Simon Bridge
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A surprising find looking for something else:
http://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~cross/

Somewhat extensive notes on various small-ball sports physics - including material on collision physics and a neat vid of a falling slinky.

I've mined:
Ball bounce for comparative data for experiments involving a ball-bearing hitting a force transducer plate.
The paper has F-t graphs for several different situations appropriate to a class and useful for answering those questions about the "force of an impact".

Including a whole section on what happens when you drop heavy objects onto Silly Putty :D
 
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1. What is Rod Cross' research about collisions, sports balls, and silly putty?

Rod Cross is a physicist who has conducted extensive research on the physics of collisions, specifically in relation to sports balls and silly putty. He has studied how different factors such as mass, elasticity, and surface materials affect the outcome of collisions.

2. How does this research apply to sports?

Cross' research has practical applications in the world of sports. It helps explain the behavior of sports balls during collisions, such as how a baseball curves or how a golf ball bounces off a surface. This information can be used to improve the design and performance of sports equipment.

3. What is the significance of studying collisions in sports?

Studying collisions in sports is important because it helps athletes and sports equipment manufacturers understand the mechanics behind the game. This can lead to improvements in performance, safety, and fairness in sports.

4. How does silly putty fit into this research?

Silly putty is often used as a model for studying collisions due to its unique physical properties. It can stretch, bounce, and shatter depending on the conditions of the collision. By studying silly putty, scientists like Cross can gain a better understanding of how collisions work in real-world scenarios.

5. What are some potential real-world applications of Cross' research?

Cross' research has the potential to be applied in a variety of fields, including sports, engineering, and materials science. It can help improve the design of sports equipment, develop new materials with specific collision properties, and even aid in accident prevention and vehicle safety.

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