Now that the fall play has finished (*tear*), it is basketball season and time to get back in shape.
When playing basketball there are many instances of performing work, or Force times the change in x, or the change in kinetic energy. For example, as I accelerate while running down the court on a fast break, I can use my change in velocity and mass to calculate my total work using the equation .5mv(f)squared - .5mv(i)squared. Work is also done when I transform my energy from kinetic energy as I run to potential energy when I jump in the air to shoot, rebound, or block a shot. This can be calculated using the equation KE(ground) + PE(ground) = KE(air) + PE(air).
However, the key to being a successful basketball player is to not only do a lot of work but do it efficiently and correctly in order to out-perform the other team. In order to be successful you must be powerful. Power is how fast you do work and is calculated using the equation work done divided by time. Therefore, after I determine how much work I do while running down court or transforming my kinetic energy into potential energy by jumping straight up in the air, I can divide it by the time it take to perform the said action to calculate how powerful I am. Having to play the position of a post player or small forward, the key to my success is being quicker and more powerful than the other team even though I am smaller, so knowing my power and improving upon it as the season goes on is a must.
Here is a link to a photo in which I am shooting the game winning three pointer to beat HBA :)
http://www.printroom.com/popupImage.asp?img_id=155401118&effectRGB
