Modelling the Projectile Motion of a Soccer Ball Under Linear Drag
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Date
2009
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Department of Civil Engineering, University of Ilorin
Abstract
The paper presents an investigation into the projectile motion of soccer ball. The equation of motion that determines the trajectory motion of the soccer ball was developed. In order to check on the accuracy of the equation for the linear drag force, a perturbation expansion technique was employed to solve the range of soccer ball in motion under specific conditions of initial velocity and launch angle. The perturbation expansion was solved up to the third order and the result obtained from previous research work was verified. Results shows that for a soccer game scenario where a player tries to score a goal from free kick at 20m; if the ball is kicked at 18.86m/s then the most suitable angles scoring a goal are 52o and 55o. This is because the barrier formed by the players will surely be overcome and the ball will reach the goal post regardless of any obstacles. A follow up comparison between linear drag theory and experimental observation on the field of play is also suggested.
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Keywords
Projectile, drag force, perturbation, soccer
Citation
Popoola, O. T., Lasode, O. A., Olaleye, O. (2009). Modelling the Projectile Motion of a Soccer Ball Under Linear Drag. Journal of Research Information in Civil Engineering, 6(2);13-30