What causes a football to spiral when it's thrown, and how does science contribute to its success?

On Sunday, the Super Bowl game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs will take place at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, with kickoff at 6:30 p.m. EST.

Why not combine tailgating, fan pride, trendy commercials, cold beer, and the explanation of why a football spirals when it's thrown during this year's football season, culminating in the Super Bowl?

As the football spins across the field, gravity pulls the nose of the ball downward, making 600 turns per minute.

According to Time.com, the direction of the football changes slightly depending on which hand the quarterback uses to throw it.

A renowned expert was asked by Planet Chronicle Digital to explain the spiraling phenomenon step-by-step.

Why does the football spiral, exactly?

According to Timothy Gay, PhD, the quarterback applies torque to the ball's center of mass as it rolls off his outstretched fingers when he throws it.

A professor of physics at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and author of "The Physics of Football," he is Willa Cather.

Does the shape of a football cause a spiral effect when thrown?

The ball's rotation or spiral is caused by the torque, as described above, which is aligned with the ball's direction of trajectory.

"You can throw a soccer ball with a rotation like this, but it's easier with a ball that can be gripped more easily and has a smaller diameter," he said to Planet Chronicle Digital.

"It’s the torque that causes the ball to rotate or spiral about its long axis that is aligned with the ball’s direction of trajectory."

"The laces and the pebbled surface help as well."

What’s science have to do with it?

The football's trajectory is determined by its precession, which causes it to rotate in a tight circle around the direction of the air flow, which is opposite to its velocity.

Dr. Gay observed that the ball rotates due to the air's torque as it rushes towards it.

"The ball's trajectory causes its tip to rotate in a tight circle around the direction of motion. As the ball moves through the arc of its flight, the axis of the ball dips down in the same way."

The phenomenon of a tip rotating tightly around the ball's velocity direction is known as "gyroscopic precession," which also controls the movement of a spinning top on a table, according to Dr. Gay.

"The spinning ball is always trying to keep its long rotational axis aligned along the airflow direction."

He observed that the ball follows the familiar arc due to gravity.

The ball points upward when the quarterback throws it and downward when it is caught, as stated.

The opposite direction of the air's velocity is the direction in which it flows when it encounters the object, he explained.

"The ball is constantly attempting to maintain its axis of rotation parallel to the airflow direction."

How does a quarterback use this spiraling phenomenon to reach his target?

Dr. Gay explained that the ball's rotational inertia, or momentum, is due to its spiraling motion and helps it remain aligned with the airflow.

He stated that by minimizing air drag, the ball can travel farther.

How does physics affect the speed and direction of a football?

The expert pointed out that three factors affect the ball's movement when it is thrown: the quarterback's force, air resistance, and gravity.

The quarterback's throwing motion determines the ball's launch speed and initial direction, he stated.

"The shape of its trajectory is determined by gravity, while the spiral pass's ability to turn over is determined by the ball's rotation and air drag."

"The ball’s launch speed and initial direction are determined by the quarterback’s throwing motion."

Why is physics only part of the winning equation?

The Super Bowl requires knowledge of physics, as science has only produced a star quarterback so far.

"Attaining a flawless spiral is difficult but achievable," according to Popular Science.

"Your beloved NFL quarterback may have begun with an ungainly first throw. However, through diligent practice, they have evolved into the flawless passing machines we admire annually."

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