The physics of skateboarding

Chapter 1

The ollie and the laws of motion

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Answer

Chapter 2

Energy and momentum on vert ramps

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Answer

Chapter 3

Street geometry and balance

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Answer

Chapter 4

The materials science of skateboards

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YOUR GOAL

Master of The physics of skateboarding

Ch 1 · The ollie and the laws of motion

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Newton's Kickflip

nic Newton's Kickflip

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nic The battle against gravity in flight

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nic Sliding the front foot for control

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nic The secret of the tail pop

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nic Stomping the landing safely

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nic Skateboard Physics

Push the tail down to make the pavement push you up!

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The battle against gravity in flight

nic The battle against gravity in flight

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Fun Fact

Ollie origin: The hands-free aerial jump was invented by Alan Gelfand in 1978 in a swimming pool.

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Sliding the front foot for control

nic Sliding the front foot for control

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Glossary

force (noun)
An influence that can change the speed or direction of an object's movement. In 1982, Rodney Mullen applied downward pressure to his board's tail to launch the first flatground jump.

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Quiz

What type of friction is generated when a skateboarder slides their shoe forward against the grip tape during an ollie?

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Gossip

Which skate trick looks the coolest in slow motion?

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Quiz

About how long does a skateboarder remain airborne during a standard 2-foot-high ollie?

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Quiz

How much force can a skateboarder's tail stomp apply to the ground during an ollie?

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Quiz

Why do skateboarders bend their knees when landing a high jump?

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Quiz

What mathematical shape does a skateboarder's path follow through the air during a jump?

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Quiz

What constant force pulls a skateboard and rider back to earth after a jump?

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Quiz

Who adapted the hands-free ollie to flat ground in 1982?

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Quiz

Which of Newton's laws explains why a skateboard launches upward when its tail strikes the ground?