Here is the sensational pairs team from the 2018 Winter Olympics.
But why do ice skaters spin so fast?
Here is the math!
REASON 1:
Well, mathspiggies, the girl in this video is right. Angular momentum remains constant unless external forces are applied.
L = mvr
L = angular momentum
v = linear velocity
r = separation of object
Louisa Barama, USA
Let’s have a look at this equation:
The fastest spin on ice skates was achieved by Natalia Kanounnikova (Russia) with a maximum rotational velocity of 308 RPM (rotations per minute) at Rockefeller Centre Ice Rink, New York, USA on 27 March 2006. See Guinness Book of Records.
Record spin : vr = 308 RPM
Other spins include:
Mao Asada, Japan, triple Axel
Triple Axel spin vr = 220 – 280 RPM
……………………………………………………………………………………………..
Maximum Triple Axel spin vr = 402 RPM
Skaters can spin faster during a triple axel jump because there is no friction from the ice slowing their spin.
To complete a quad axel, it’s estimated that the skater would have to rotate in the air at:
Now, mathspiggies, you must separate Linear Velocity (v1 ) from Angular Velocity (vr ). Linear Velocity is measured in m/sec ie. it is the speed of, say, a skaters foot around the circle. Angular Velocity is measured in either RPM (Revolutions Per Minute) or degrees or Radians per minute. Ie. It is the rate of spin. We can’t judge how many m/sec a skaters foot is moving in a circle. We can only see how fast they spin. In other words, we see their Angular Velocity. When a skaters foot is in the Camel position that foot travels in a very big circle.
But when that same foot is in a Triple Axel postion it moves in a very, very small circle.
Patrick Chan, Canada, Camel Spin
Patrick Chan, Canada, Triple Axel
By halving the radius, firstly, a skater’s Linear Velocity doubles due to the conservation of angular momentum.
Then, secondly, by halving the radius the circumference of the circle moved by , say, the skaters foot is halved.
Overall, by doubling the velocity around the circle and halving the circumference a skater increases their rotational velocity by a factor of 4.
There is NO CLEAR HEIGHT ADVANTAGE for serve speed.
2. Does the serve return rate increase with height?
Here is Diego Schwartzman (L) when he defeated Alexander Zverev (R ) in the 2019 US Open.
What is Schwartzman’s Super Power?
Schwartzman, the shortest player on the circuit (see graph above), tops the service returns stats. Highest 2nd serve return rate. Third highest 1st serve return rate. See data below. So agility, speed, and reaction times are also important factors in becoming a tennis star.
There is NO CLEAR HEIGHT ADVANTAGE for serve speed.
2. Does the serve return rate increase with height?
Here is Diego Schwartzman (L) when he defeated Alexander Zverev (R ) in the 2019 US Open.
What is Schwartzman’s Super Power?
Schwartzman, the shortest player on the circuit (see graph above), tops the service returns stats. Highest 2nd serve return rate. Third highest 1st serve return rate. See data below. So agility, speed, and reaction times are also important factors in becoming a tennis star.