Submitted by: Holly, Emma, Georgia and Katelyn
Read their cover letter below:
“Volleyball is a fast-paced sport where physics plays a huge role in how the game is played. One of the main principles involved is Newton’s Third Law: for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. When a player jumps to spike or block the ball, they push down on the ground, and the ground pushes them upward. This is how they gain height. Projectile motion is another key concept. When the ball is served or hit, it follows a curved path through the air due to gravity. Players must predict this path to position themselves correctly for passes and spikes. Force and momentum are also important. The harder and faster a player swings their arm during a spike, the more force they apply to the ball. This increases the ball’s momentum, making it harder to return. Air resistance affects the ball slightly, especially during float serves, where the ball moves unpredictably. Spin can also affect trajectory because of the Magnus effect, which causes the ball to curve midair. Overall, volleyball combines many physics concepts—force, motion, gravity, and energy—making it a perfect example of science in action during sport.”