PARABOLAS AND GRAVITY
Gravity is a force that creates a natural parabola. Isaac Newton said that what goes up must eventually come down due to gravity. This is true if you toss your keys to someone, spike a volleyball, or drive a golf ball toward the hole. Physics and math are closely tied in the application of quadratics and forces of gravity.
In this Discussion, you will explore quadratics as it applies to the sport of basketball and Michael Jordan's legendary slam dunk.
RESOURCES
Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
To prepare for this Discussion:
Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.
WEEKLY RESOURCE
⚫ View the video about the math behind Michael Jordan's legendary hang time.
• Next, select one of the three planets mentioned in the video-Earth, Venus, or Jupiter-and assume that the basketball player of your choice starts from a standing position, meaning s/he starts at 0 height.
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• Select an initial velocity (speed) between 3 and 5 meters per second rounded to the nearest tenth and consider an equation for the path of your basketball player, simplifying all the terms as much as possible.
Think about how you might solve for the x intercepts using either the quadratic equation or a graph. Be prepared to show your work for your classmates.
Consider the x intercepts to determine the hang time of your basketball player and show your computations.
Think about how you would compare the hang time of your player to the hang time of Michael Jordan on the moon by writing an inequality statement. What do you think this means about the force of gravity on the moon?
Keep in mind that the gravitational constant must be negative, as gravity pulls you down toward the surface.
Click the link for Andy Peterson and Zack Patterson's TED Talk, The Math Behind Michael Jordan's Legendary Hang Time.
Click the link for Andy Peterson and Zack Patterson's TED Talk, The Math Behind Michael Jordan's Legendary Hang Time.
Peterson, A. & Patterson, Z. (n.d.). The math behind Michael Jordan's legendary hang time G
[Video]. TED Conferences. https://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-math-behind-michael-jordan-s-legendary-hang-time-andy-peterson-and-zack- patterson
Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 4 minutes.
Also Note: Closed captioning is available on this video.
With these thoughts in mind:
BY DAY 3
Post a response of at least 200 words addressing the following prompts:
• Describe the basketball player you selected and explain the initial velocity you selected. Then, present the equation you wrote for the path of your basketball player, simplifying all terms as much as possible.
Explain how you solved for the x intercepts using either the quadratic equation or a graph. Please attach or embed your work so it may be viewed by your classmates.
• Describe the hang time of your basketball player that you determined using the x intercepts. Be sure to show your computations.
Describe the similarities and differences between the hang time of your player to the hang time of Michael Jordan on the moon by writing an inequality statement. Then, explain what you think this means about the force of gravity on the moon.