The Physics of Tennis

These four lessons focus on the role of physics in the game of tennis. The resource is most appropriate for students aged 14 to16 and post-16 physics students and include lessons on: D-T / V-T graphs, Energy transfer, Vibrations, and Balancing forces.

• In D-T and V-T graphs, students learn how to interpret distance-time and velocity-time graphs, they look at components of velocity and analyse their own graphs.
• In Energy transfer, students look at the transfer of potential to kinetic energy and are shown how to measure the apparent coefficient of restitution of a tennis racket.
• In Vibrations, students can observe the oscillating motion of a frame to look at wave amplitude, frequency, wavelength and damping.
• Balancing forces investigates shoe friction, traction and force with the view to students calculating a coefficient of friction for their own shoes.

The resource was compiled by Cooke Associates on behalf of the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) with the support of the Science Enhancement Programme.

• The Physics of Tennis Interactive Resource