WHY? When students experience the law of physics with a baseball they are seeing first hand the dimensions of velocity, air pressure, and gravity. There is no greater teacher than that of experience. As the ball is thrown the air pressure above the ball is greater than the pressure below, causing the ball to curve downward. On a major league playing field this curving force can move the ball down a foot or more. Combining with the effect of air pressure is gravity. The ball will fall to earth eventually as its velocity is reduced. And gravity makes objects move faster over time, so its effect on the ball is more pronounced as it reaches home plate. ASSESSMENT: Can the student communicate what they observed?

Student is able to communicate in full how the curve ball is thrown and what dynamics take place as the ball travels from the pitcher's mound to the batter's plate. Student is able to communicate most of the facts of how the curve ball is thrown and what dynamics take place as the ball travels from the pitcher's mound to the batter's plate. Student is able to communicate some of the facts of how the curve ball is thrown and what dynamics take place as the ball travels from the pitcher's mound to the batter's plate. Student is able to communicate one of the facts of how the curve ball is thrown and what dynamics take place as the ball travels from the pitcher's mound to the batter's plate.

Web Hosting Provided By The National Business Aviation Association.

Explore Space ... Not Drugs!
Hear what astronauts have to say about staying drug-free.
Last modified: Tue Aug 26 14:44:57 PDT 1997

Copyright © 1997 by Cislunar Aerospace, Inc. All Rights Reserved.