Clemson Professor Brings Winter Sports Physics to Life for Students

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A Clemson University physics professor has created a new introductory physics course that uses winter sports like ski jumping, speed skating, and figure skating to help students understand abstract concepts like kinematics, forces, energy, momentum, and motion. By studying the physics behind elite athletic performances, the professor aims to show students how classroom lessons come to life in the real world.

Why it matters

This approach helps bridge the gap between the theoretical physics students learn in the classroom and the practical applications they see in everyday life and sports. By using relatable examples from popular winter Olympic events, the course makes physics more accessible and engaging for students who may otherwise struggle to connect the subject to the real world.

The details

The course, called "Physics of Sports," begins by analyzing the physics behind specific winter sports rather than starting with abstract problems or idealized systems. For example, students examine how ski mountaineering requires a delicate balance of friction to allow efficient uphill climbing while preventing backsliding, or how the tight-fitting suits worn by ski jumpers minimize drag and lift to create a more level playing field. In speed skating and figure skating, students investigate how small changes in body positioning and angular momentum can dramatically impact an athlete's performance.

• The 2026 Winter Olympics will feature the debut of ski mountaineering as a new event.
• The Physics of Sports course was recently created at Clemson University.

What’s next

The Physics of Sports course will continue to be offered at Clemson University, providing students with a unique opportunity to learn physics concepts through the lens of popular winter sports.