Forces in Soccer Collisions

Our force meters exert a maximum force of 10 Newtons. Would it be possible for 1 of our force meters, used properly, could cause a concussion?

• Yes

• No

How would the forces from a header with such a light soccer ball cause a concussion?

• They can't, it isn't enough force

• The player must have a soft spot on their skull

• The force is dependent on mass and speed

• The ball is more dense than the air it is traveling through

Which BEST describes Peak Force?

• The minimum force required to initiate movement.
• The average force applied over a period of time.
• The maximum force exerted during a specific event.
• The total force exerted throughout an entire event.

Which diagram BEST represents the forces of the collision between a soccer ball and a head during PEAK FORCE?

• 
• 
• 

There are three types of collisions that tend to happen frequently in soccer: (a) headers, (b) collisions between players’ heads, and (c) a player’s head hitting the ground.

How would the amount of force on the head compare to the amount of force on the object it collides with in each system A, B, and C?

_{(Hint: This is NOT comparing the forces between systems, it is comparing the force on the 2 objects within the systems)}

• In every collision, the peak force on the head would be the same as the peak force on the other object in the collision.

• In some, but not all collisions, the peak force on the head would be the same as the peak force on the other object in the collision.

• In every collision, the peak force on the head would be different than the peak force on the other object in the collision.

During the part of a collision called Peak Force, the objects are experiencing _____ forces.

Sports scientists concluded that concussions result from headers, a running player colliding with another running player, and a running player hitting the ground. So far in this unit, we have looked at collisions and how much kinetic energy the objects in the system have before they collide and how this is related to the peak forces they can produce in any collision. Let’s consider the three main types of systems that can lead to concussions and make predictions about them using forces and energy as it relates to player #84.

Considering both objects that are about to collide in each interaction, which system would you predict to have the least amount of total kinetic energy in the system right before the objects collide? In each instance below, player #84 is running at a speed of 7 miles per hour.

• A. Player #84 running and heading the soccer ball that was kicked by another player

• B. Player #84 running and colliding with another running player running towards them

• Player #84 running and hitting the ground

Sports scientists concluded that concussions result from headers, a running player colliding with another running player, and a running player hitting the ground. So far in this unit, we have looked at collisions and how much kinetic energy the objects in the system have before they collide and how this is related to the peak forces they can produce in any collision. Let’s consider the three main types of systems that can lead to concussions and make predictions about them using forces and energy as it relates to player #84.

Which BEST explains the correct answer to the previous question--which collision has the least kinetic energy?

_{(Hint: 2 are true, but only one answers the question)}

• An object that is NOT moving will exert LESS force on another object

• An object that is NOT moving will exert MORE force on another object

• An object that IS moving will exert LESS force on another object

• An object that IS moving will exert MORE force on another object

What is breaking point?

• The breaking point is the point where a material begins to bend.
• The breaking point is the temperature at which a material melts.
• The breaking point is the minimum load a material can support without damage.
• The breaking point is the maximum stress a material can endure before failure.

Match the data to the inference:

• Axon does NOT have permanent damage

• Headache persists

• Axon has suffered temporary damage

• Concussion occurs

• Axon has reached its breaking point

• No concussion