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Scientist Rick Crosslin demonstrates the science of football

Local science teacher Rick Crosslin, district scientist in residence for MSD Wayne Township, joined us on Indy Style to teach us about the science of football!

He told us that the football is aerodynamic, and when it’s thrown properly it will have a spin that makes it fly through the air. This is called gyroscopic stability!

Crosslin said you need to have friction on the football’s laces in order to have a great throw. Also, a football is not an oval, it’s technically a prolate spheroid! Amber even had her own scientific term, “grippy-ness,” for friction!

You can find more of Rick’s science experiments on Youtube.