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Physics of longboarding


NevinO

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<p>Longboarding is a particular hobby where a bunch of different physics topics are covered by a simple act that doesnt take much energy by the rider, but can still experience great thrills and excitement. Different keytopics with in this activity include, motion and forces, friction and energy.<br />

Motion and forces are key components of longboarding. The forces in particular enable the motion to take place. The force of gravity acts on the longboard and its rider. The greater the hill (incline) the greater the angle off the horizon and this allows gravity to have more of an effect as it acelerates you down the hill and increase your velocity. Also if your mass is greater, then you contribut more wieght where the force of gravity will be able to act on more matter and allow you to possess a greater degree of motion.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Friction is another key component in a couple aspects. First off, in order to stay more secure with the board, rubber shoes are ideal because they create the greatest combination for the force of friction with the grip tape on top of the board. This force of friction is what helps reduce your chances of falling off the board and getting seriously injured. Also the other component of friction is between the wheels which are composed of a hard plastic and the pavement where friction is at a minimum to allow one to go fast and smoothly.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also momentum is another topic to discuss. In this activity one can achieve a fast forward momentum due to the length of the incline and also the angle of elevation from the horizontal. If both are optimum, then 30 40 even sometimes 50 miles an hour at some extremes is a whole lot of speed, and falling would hurt alot. Which brings us to impulse, (change in speed) and this is what we care about most for safety aspects. If its a quick difference in speed, (quick impulse), like hitting a rock and haulting the board, then one cant handle and or absorb the shock in a controlled fashion resulting with some extra momentum not being transfered through the board to a stop but instead its converted to access speed and results in one flying forward onto the ground. So we want soft easy change in speed where we can slowly come to a stop so avoid cracks and or rocks in the road or else.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Lastly energy and this has to do with potential and kinetic energy. Potential energy is before you star where if you go on top of a large hill, you have potential to go down on the longboard and when you go, the energy is in turn transfered into kinetic energy and this is your forward motion.&nbsp;</p>

<p>All these components are what make up the physics facts of longboarding.&nbsp;</p>

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I know it's like a skate board but those things are longer, it must be hard to control them especially at the speeds he is going.

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