Comparing Rotational Kinetic Energy of the Leg and Wheel During the Initial Push on a Longboard

by Noah Fatica

Submitted : Spring 2019

When most people think about riding a skateboard or a longboard they may think about the X Games or simply riding along near Clearwater Beach. However, most fail to consider how much of the mechanics behind both doing tricks on skateboards and even simply cruising has to do with physics. The depth of the physics behind it all ranges from simple kinematics (i.e. displacement, acceleration) all the way to biomechanics (i.e. movements of muscles and tendons).

This project attempts to look at some of the simpler aspects of physics behind making a longboard move. More specifically, observing the initial push it takes to get the board moving from rest, taking measured quantities like distance and velocity, and using those quantities to calculate and compare some of the angular quantities of the system, specifically rotational kinetic energy.

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