StarTalk Radio All Pain, No Gain with Charles Liu
May 13, 2022
In this lively discussion, Charles Liu, a professor of astronomy and physics and sports science expert, dives into the quirky world of unconventional sports. The group hilariously unpacks the physics behind cheese rolling and the dynamics of belly flops and face slapping. They explore how force, momentum, and body technique impact performance in these bizarre games. With wit and insight, Liu reveals the unexpected connections between sports and science, making the oddities of competition both entertaining and enlightening.
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Cheese Rolling
- Cheese rolling involves chasing a wheel of cheese down a steep hill.
- The cheese can reach speeds of 70 mph, making it a dangerous race.
Physics of Cheese Rolling and Running
- A cheese wheel's speed when rolling downhill can be calculated using physics principles.
- Human runners must constantly adjust their foot placement to account for falling and turning.
Cheese Rolling Details
- There's only one wheel of cheese used in the race, and the winner takes it home.
- The race isn't a straight path, making it challenging even for fast runners like Usain Bolt.