Chapter 11, Problem 34A

How do you throw a football so that it spins about its long axis when traveling through the air?

To determine

To Explain: The way to throw a football such that it spins around its long axis.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

The gyroscope couple works on the principle of conservation of momentum which helps to provide the three-dimensional rotational motion to the object.

When the football is thrown upward with a tilt in its long axis, this forms a gyroscopic couple between the gravity acting and drag force of air resistance. This causes the spinning motion of the football.

Conclusion:

Thus, when the football is thrown upward with a tilt in its long axis to get a spin.