Tennis and Rain
This past week, my tennis team had its final matches before sectionals begin tomorrow. However, due to heavy rainfall, several of our matches were either rescheduled or postponed. Naturally, I thought that there had to be some physics dealing with the impact of rain on the total force of friction when one plays on a court. Turns out that a liquid substance like water decreases the coefficient of friction of the surface it is on (in this case the tennis courts). Because tennis requires a lot of quick stopping and changing of direction, friction is essential for both speed and for staying on one's feet. A decrease in the coefficient of friction would mean that it would take longer to stop and turn than it would on a dry court. Not only that, but a decrease in friction makes stopping, in general, more difficult, which could prove dangerous for players on the court. So, our postponed matches were not in vain; our coaches were trying to protect us from friction, or rather, the lack thereof!
2 Comments
Recommended Comments