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

The physics of skateboarding

Chapter 1

The ollie and the laws of motion

Chapter 2

Energy and momentum on vert ramps

Chapter 3

Street geometry and balance

Chapter 4

The materials science of skateboards

YOUR GOAL

Master of The physics of skateboarding

Ch 1 · The ollie and the laws of motion

play_review

play_review I had no idea female K-pop groups are now driving the genre's global boom.

Aug 3

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nic Skateboard Physics

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

Jul 30

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nic The battle against gravity in flight

Jul 30

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nic Once airborne, a skateboarder follows a perfect parabolic curve determined by gravity.

Jul 30

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nic Dragging the front foot up the grip tape levels the board in mid-air.

Jul 30

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BETA

nic Time your flick to discover how Newton's laws of motion spin a skateboard.

Jul 30

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Fun Fact

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

Jul 30

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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.

Jul 30

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Gossip

Which skate trick looks the coolest in slow motion?

Jul 30

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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?

Jul 30

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nic Sliding the front foot for control

Jul 30

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Quiz

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

Jul 30

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nic The secret of the tail pop

Jul 30

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Quiz

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

Jul 30

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nic Stomping the landing safely

Jul 30

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Quiz

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

Jul 30

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Quiz

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

Jul 30

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Quiz

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

Jul 30

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Quiz

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

Jul 30

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Quiz

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

Jul 30