National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation: Science of the Winter Olympics: Olympic Motion
Dan Fletcher, a bioengineer, studies the movement of cells in the human body. He explains that it is practice that causes muscles to organize themselves for peak performance in an athlete. [5:39]
National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation: Science of the Winter Olympics: Slapshot Physics
One of the most popular team sports in the Winter Olympics is hockey. More than just a physical game, for scientists, it's a showcase for physics on ice - especially when it comes to the slapshot. An Olympian and two scientists break...
National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation: Science of the Winter Olympic Games: Science of Snow
Snow is an essential part of the Winter Olympics. A former Winter Olympian, who is also a glaciologist, and a chemist discuss how humidity and temperature help form snow. [4:40]
National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation: Science of the Winter Olympics: Downhill Science
Scientists explain the physics of the downhill skiing event at the Winter Olympics. [3:59]
National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation: Science of the Winter Olympics: Aerial Physics
Freestyle skiers use three basic twisting techniques to perform complex jumps in the air. These aerial maneuvers can be explained in terms of physics concepts. [4:00]
National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation: Science of the Winter Olympics: Snowboarding
Scientists explain the physics of snowboarding by talking about dynamic balance, gravity, force, kinetic energy, and potential energy. [4:08]
National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation: Science of the Winter Olympics: Blade Runners
Explains how Newton's Three Laws of Motion are expressed in the context of speed skating. [4:17]
National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation: Science of the Winter Olympics: Air Lift
Olympic athletes and scientists discuss the physics involved in scoring well in ski jumping. [4:19]
National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation: Science of the Winter Olympic Games: Physics of Slope Style Skiing
A scientist explains the physics of slope-style skiing, e.g., rotational motion, moment of inertia, angle of momentum, and friction. [4:58]
National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation: Science of the Winter Olympics: Science of Skis
Members of the U.S. Ski Team and scientists explain the materials science that goes into making the skis used by the team. [5:05]
National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation: Science of the Winter Olympics: Banking on Speed
The American bobsled team, scientists, and a bobsled designer explain how they hope to win a gold medal at the Vancouver Winter Olympics in 2010. [5:05]
National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation: Science of the Winter Olympics: Internal Athlete
Cross-country skiers are among the fittest athletes, and must press the limits of their endurance in order to win at the Olympics. Scientists discuss the biochemistry behind their endurance levels. [5:06]
National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation: Science of Winter Olympic Games: Olympic Movement & Robotic Design
Scientists are using control systems engineering to design robots that can duplicate the movements of an Olympic athlete. These robots learn to perfect movements through repetition, just as athletes do. [5:07]
National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation: Science of the Winter Olympics: Competition Suits
Winter Olympic athletes and scientists discuss the science and technology behind the clothing the athletes wear in competition. [5:12]
National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation: Science of the Winter Olympic Games: Injury and Recovery
Biomedical engineer Cato Laurencin describes his pioneering work in tissue regeneration. His research looks at helping high performance athletes such as alpine ski racer Lindsey Vonn to recover faster from ligament damage in a knee...
National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation: Science of the Winter Olympics: Mathletes
Mathematician Edward Burger explains the pervasive role math plays in the Winter Olympics, no matter what the sport. [5:15]
National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation: Science of the Winter Olympic Games: Science of Ice
A mathematician explains why ice is slippery, making winter sports possible. Also describes how ice surfaces are prepared for an Olympic event. [5:21]
National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation: Science of the Winter Olympic Games: Shaun White Engineering the Half Pipe
A mechanical engineer explains how the half-pipe is designed to give an Olympic snowboarder maximum air time so he can perform tricks. [5:22]
National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation: Science of the Winter Olympics: Safety Gear
Protective gear is critical to the safety of Olympic athletes. Scientists explain how safety helmets are designed to absorb the impact of a collision. [5:36]
National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation: Science of the Winter Olympics: Figuring Out Figure Skating
An Olympic skater and a scientist explain the physics behind the complex maneuvers figure skaters make, such as the triple axel and the quadruple toe loop. [5:38]
National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation: Science of the Winter Olympics: Science of Skates
The science behind the design of ice skates and their blades is explained. [5:54]
National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation: Science of the Winter Olympic Games: Building Faster and Safer Bobsleds
Scientists explain the design challenges faced when making bobsleds that are fast and safe. [6:10]