Reflections

I started my research on volleyball as I wanted to do an assignment on the physics topic, projectile motion. In the various assignments my teacher gave me, the questions on projectile motion simply inquired us to determine various elements of the motion such as maximum height, initial velocity, or the landing angle. Other than these simple elements, I was curious to find out whether the topic of projectile motion can go deeper, and be applied to other more complicated situations to determine various other aspects. As such, I came across the topic of volleyball, in which projectile motion can be applied to.

Through this assignment, I have definitely learned an extra bit about volleyball. Before that, I merely thought volleyball is a sport where players simply needed quick reflexes and a decisive mind in order to defend and attack successfully. In fact, there are many aspects of volleyball in a single game, and all of these can be thoroughly analysed and practised in order to find the optimum methods to perform them.

Most importantly, I feel like I have discovered the wonder of physics. Despite the physics in this assignment being more complicated than what I know, I am amazed at the fact that a jumble of numbers and equations, after some analysis, can be magically translated into conclusions and solutions for the problem. I have always thought that in sports, the factors needed to play well in a certain sport are determined through experience and practice. In this case, in a simple serve of a volleyball game, simply by breaking down aspects of it and using physics, the factors required for an optimum serve is easily found out. This made me realise that physics can probably explain everything around us, and also help people create and innovate better things to benefit the society.  Thus, this experience has definitely been eye-opening for me, and greater interest for physics has certainly been piqued within me.