Abstract:
This paper focuses on the physics related to ball movement in different sports. Several phenomena are described qualitatively or semi-quantitatively, including the influence of size and roughness when a ball travels in the air, the contributing factors for curved flight and floating serves in volleyball, how the angle and speed affect basketball shots, how the height and material of a pool table’s edge affect the performance, and the importance of the oil pattern in a bowling lane. The author believes that physics can be used to improve a player’s performance, and its application to ball games can inspire more interest in physics education.