For external object
Dr. Priyanka Singh
IMPETUS
• “Impetus" refers to the force or energy
responsible for initiating and sustaining
movement in the body.
• It is the driving force that propels a body part
or the entire body into motion.
EXAMPLE
• Throwing a Ball: When a baseball pitcher
winds up and throws a ball, the impetus
comes from the coordinated movement of the
entire body, especially the arm. The muscles
generate force, which is transferred through
the body to the hand, and ultimately to the
ball, giving it the energy and direction needed
to travel towards the target.
EXAMPLE
Imagine you're pushing a heavy box along a straight
path, like a track or a groove, where it can only move
forward or backward.
The Pathway and Movement:
•The box can only move straight ahead on this track,
so any force you apply should ideally push it in that
direction.
Pushing a Book on a Table: If you have a book lying flat
on a table and you push it directly at the center, the
book will slide forward in a straight line. But if you push
the book at one corner, the book will start to spin while
also moving forward. The off-center push creates a
torque, causing the rotational motion.
a fast serve in table tennis or tennis often results in a
fast return.
The faster you swing or strike something, the faster the
ball or object you hit will go.
The bouncier the ball and the object you use to
hit it, the faster the ball will move after you
strike it.
Example: Javelin Throwing
[Link] of Departure: When a javelin thrower prepares to throw, they build
up speed and momentum by running and then accelerating their arm. The
greater the speed at which the javelin leaves their hand, the farther it will
travel.
[Link] of Flight: If the thrower releases the javelin with a high speed, the
javelin will cover a greater distance before landing. This is because the initial
speed (or velocity) of the javelin directly affects its trajectory and the distance
it travels through the air.
Example: Catching a Baseball
[Link] a Fast Ball: When you catch a baseball thrown at high speed, the
ball has a lot of kinetic energy. If you catch it suddenly, the force of the ball
can cause pain or even injury to your hand or arm.
[Link] Loss of Kinetic Energy: To reduce the risk of injury, players often
use a technique where they slightly move their hands backward as they
catch the ball. This movement helps absorb the energy of the ball more
gradually, rather than stopping it abruptly.
Example: Hitting a Baseball
[Link] with a Larger Bat Surface: When you swing a baseball
bat, if you hit the ball with a larger part of the bat (like the
"sweet spot" of the bat), the impact force is spread over a
larger area of the bat’s surface.
[Link] Surface Area: If you hit the ball with the edge or tip
of the bat, the impact force is concentrated on a smaller area,
which can cause more vibration and discomfort in your hands.
[Link] Force per Unit Area: By hitting the ball with the broader,
more central part of the bat, the force of the impact is
distributed over a larger surface area of the bat. This reduces
the pressure felt per unit area, making the hit feel smoother
and less jarring to the hands.
Example: Performing a Squat
[Link] of Support: When you do a squat, your feet are spread out
on the ground, providing a broad base of support.
[Link] of Gravity: As you lower yourself into the squat position,
you keep your center of gravity (your body’s weight) centered over
your feet.
[Link] Equilibrium: By having a wide base (feet spread apart)
and keeping your center of gravity directly above this base, you
maintain better balance and stability. This makes it easier to
control your movement and avoid falling over.
Comparison: Narrow Stance
If you were to perform the squat with your feet close together,
your base of support would be smaller, making it harder to keep
your balance. If your center of gravity shifts outside this narrow
base, you might lose your balance and fall.
Example: Catching a Basketball
[Link] Basketball: Imagine a basketball bounces on the
floor and comes back up toward you.
[Link] Smoothly: If you catch the ball by gently moving your
hands backward as you grab it, you slow down the ball’s bounce
gradually.
[Link] Rebound: Because you’re slowing the ball down
smoothly, it’s less likely to bounce away from you. It’s like gently
catching a ball instead of stopping it suddenly.
Comparison: Sudden Catch
If you try to catch the ball quickly and stiffly, it can bounce off
your hands because you stop it too abruptly.
In short, catching the basketball gently and gradually helps keep
it in your hands without it bouncing away.