Date of Defense
1-28-2005
Department
Mathematics
First Advisor
Alan Nathan, Physics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Second Advisor
Gerald Hardie, Physics
Third Advisor
Niloufer Mackey, Mathematics
Abstract
The effect of a baseball's spin on its flight path in investigated. The trajectory of a ball is tracked over the first 15 feet of its path with a ten-camera motion analysis system. Initial conditions for a baseball thrown from a pitching machine are determined using a computer-fitting program. The conditions are typical of those found in the game. Ball speeds between 50 to 100 miles per hour and spins of 2000 to 4500 revolutions per minute are considered. Two models for the flight of a spinning baseball are compared with experimental data. The components of the vertical acceleration of a spinning ball are discussed.
Recommended Citation
Hopkins, Joseph R., "Aerodynamics in Baseball" (2005). Honors Theses. 276.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/honors_theses/276
Access Setting
Honors Thesis-Campus Only