a) Why do athletes in jumping or throwing disciplines use an approaching run as part of their acceleration?

b) Neglecting air resistance and aerodynamics, what would be the best angle of release in discus throwing?

My ans:
a) To increase horizontal velocity? Since acceleration is proportional to velocty (Using common sense i would say to increase momentum etc, but we haven't covered momentum yet)
b) I have no idea =( (I just feel as if it should be less than 90degrees may be 45degrees - again this is just guessing)

Thanks

a)This is probably simpler.. The approaching run is used as a medium to store kinetic energy or you can also say force (F=ma), then the force/energy stored is transfered as the kinetic energy as you jump or throwing discus.

b)For this, i would say it's 30 degrees because you will have more horizontal force/energy than if you throw on 45 degrees (remember that sin 60 degrees is more than sin 45).

a) Athletes in jumping or throwing disciplines use an approaching run as part of their acceleration because it allows them to build up horizontal velocity. When an athlete runs before a jump or a throw, they are able to convert their forward momentum into upward or rotational momentum, respectively. The longer the approach run, the greater the horizontal velocity they can achieve, which can translate into higher jumps or longer throws. This is because acceleration is directly proportional to velocity, so the more velocity they have, the greater the acceleration they can achieve in a shorter amount of time.

To get a more precise explanation and better understanding of this concept, you can explore the principles of biomechanics in sports, which explain the relationship between movement and physical forces.

b) To determine the best angle of release in discus throwing, you need to consider the principles of projectile motion. In the absence of air resistance and aerodynamics, the optimal angle of release for maximum distance would be 45 degrees.

This can be explained using the concept of the range or horizontal distance achieved by a projectile. The range is maximized when the projectile is launched at a 45-degree angle. At this angle, the vertical and horizontal components of the initial velocity are equal, resulting in the most efficient use of the projectile's initial energy.

However, it is important to note that neglecting air resistance and aerodynamics is an oversimplification, as these factors greatly affect the optimal angle of release in discus throwing. Real-world discus throwing involves a complex interplay of factors such as release height, angular velocity, and aerodynamic forces, which ultimately influence the best angle of release for distance. Advanced techniques and scientific analysis are used to determine the optimal release angle in modern discus throwing.

To delve into a more detailed analysis and understanding of the optimal release angle in discus throwing, you can explore sports biomechanics or consult scientific research and literature in the field.