On the performance of Usain Bolt in the 100 m sprint
Abstract
Many university texts on mechanics consider the effect of air drag force, using the slowing down of a parachute as an example. Very few discuss what happens when the drag force is proportional to both u and u2. In this paper we deal with a real problem to illustrate the effect of both terms on the speed of a runner: a theoretical model of the world-record 100 m sprint of Usain Bolt during the 2009 World Championships in Berlin is developed, assuming a drag force proportional to u and to u2. The resulting equation of motion is solved and fitted to the experimental data obtained from the International Association of Athletics Federations, which recorded Bolt's position with a laser velocity guard device. It is worth noting that our model works only for short sprints.
- Publication:
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European Journal of Physics
- Pub Date:
- September 2013
- DOI:
- 10.1088/0143-0807/34/5/1227
- Bibcode:
- 2013EJPh...34.1227H