There’s a lot to learn from the #WinterOlympics, including physics, math, engineering and psychology, if the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat isn’t enough for you.
Watch the games a little smarter with 6 science reads (thread) ⬇️
Ski jumpers plunge down ramps nearly 300 feet tall, then fly farther than a football field.
How? A delicate balance of gravity, lift and drag.
Luge, skeleton and bobsled athletes don’t fly — they hurtle down ice at ~90 mph.
Gravity provides the thrust, while body position and tiny movements control steering and drag.
One small mistake can mean a crash.
Math of #hockey:
Research shows chance plays a bigger role in hockey outcomes than in sports like football or basketball, thanks to deflections, bounces and split-second timing.
Much of the 2026 Games will be run on artificial snow.
Unlike light, airy natural flakes, machine-made snow packs dense and icy. This changes speed, grip and how much falls hurt.
Order matters in the #Olympics.
Athletes who compete first, last, or right after a standout performance may be judged differently.
Psychological biases are part of why some sports explore computer-assisted judging.
How to stay warm while skiing and snowboarding and skating: a look at the materials science of how cold weather sporting gear handles athletes working up a sweat while extremely cold.
https://theconversation.com/winter-olympians-often-compete-in-freezing-temperatures-physiology-and-advances-in-materials-science-help-keep-them-warm-275070
@TheConversationUS ... and not a word about microplastics and the toxicity of synthetic apparel.
