Sports fans across the nation invest quite a lot of time, thought, and money into college basketball during the month of March. While it may seem the only science related to March Madness is bracketology, there is also chemistry involved in many aspects of basketball. This article from the magazine American Chemistry reveals the many realms in which chemistry is linked to basketball. The basketballs themselves are lined with thermoplastic polyurethane, which helps resist damage caused by oxidation and hydrocarbon solvents. Also, chemistry-based technologies aid in the grip, performance, and pressure retention of the balls. In order to cushion the forces of athletes on the playing surface, floors often have ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber shock absorbers. The chemistry doesn’t stop here. The shoes worn by the athletes are also made of thermoplastic polyurethanes, which provide both toughness and flexibility. This article highlights how prevalent chemistry is in the real world and made me realize how often we overlook the intricacies of the chemical processes that allow us to live the way that we do.
See: http://www.americanchemistry.com/s_acc/sec_article.asp?CID=977&DID=5252
Posted by Anne McGinty
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This is very interesting, given that I play basketball and never really saw it that way. But it's true that the quality of the balls, clothing materials, shoes, etc. has improved a lot, even since I started playing in middle school. It makes me fully appreciate the chemistry involved in not only basketball, but in many other sports as well.
ReplyDeleteI also find this very interesting. I watch basketball frequently yet never I have never really though about all the chemistry behind the game. This shows just how big of a role chemistry plays in life, that it is involved in everything we do.
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