Physics of football

Earlier this month, I wrote about Professor Jim Kakalios and his exciting Emmy win for the video 'The Science of Watchmen.'  I just learned that Kakalios isn't the only physics professor applying their knowledge of science to popular culture. 

In the video below, IT Professor Dan Dahlberg breaks down a tackle from the Minnesota-Cal State game where Gopher receiver Eric Decker gets slammed into end zone by Cal's Sean Cattouse during a touchdown catch. Professor Dahlberg explains how much force Decker withstood when he took the hit. Check out the physics behind football by watching this fascinating video:



And the greatest thing about it all is that after withstanding that tackle and gees enforced by it, Decker still managed to keep the ball!

You can catch professor Dan Dahlberg in action with the Physics Force in one of two free, highly entertaining public shows: 7 p.m. Thursday, January 7, and 2 p.m. Sunday, January 10, 2010, at Northrop Auditorium, 84 Church St. S.E., Minneapolis.

The shows are coming up soon, so mark your calendars!

Dani