AASI SNOWBOARD TECHNICAL MANUAL Physics of Snowboarding


Tis chapter introduces basic physics concepts that are central to understanding snowboarding. It illustrates and clearly explains how those general physics concepts relate directly to snowboard instruction.


Objectives


■ Describe basic physics concepts and how they apply to snowboarding. ■ Understand and explain the forces that affect the board-to-snow interaction and how a board turns.


■ Apply your knowledge of physics to better assess your students’ riding, and create a plan for changing their riding.


INTRODUCTION Te principles of physics can be found in all areas of snowboarding, and relate to the constant array of dynamic movements encountered during a lesson. People, equipment, snow conditions, and students’ desires are all subject to dramatic change. Physics, on the other hand, is fixed. Regardless of a rider’s ability, physics defines what movements can be performed on a snowboard. More importantly, physics provides insight into how to interact with these constants to be more efficient and effective. Once you appreciate what is really happening on or off the snow, you are in a position to enter into a mutually beneficial relationship with these forces.


Virtually everything done in snowboarding can be described with physics. Leonardo da Vinci said, “To understand motion is to understand nature.” Even the Greek word “physis” (physics) means “nature.” Physics not only explains motion, but can be used to describe it and help you understand motion. Sliding downhill or, more accurately, the sensations derived from gliding downhill are a large part of the thrill enjoyed by snowboarders. For these reasons and others, it is imperative to start with the following concepts, as they define the medium for enjoying riding.


SNOW


Te two main things that allow snowboarding to exist are snow (or other slippery surfaces) and a sloping topography. Snow forms when water vapor condenses in below-freezing clouds in the atmosphere. Tese condensed vapors, from either fog or water vapors, are transformed into ice crystals. Te crystals contain particles of salt, dust, or minerals that allow each of them to be able to bond – or nucleate. As they bond, they also increase in mass and begin to fall from the sky. Te same basic principles are at work with machine-made snow, except that the crystals do not fall as far from the sky so they are more consistent in size and shape.


Snow’s crystalline, frozen state is uniquely different from ice in that it has a much lower melting point. Tis low melting point, when combined with heat from the friction created by a snowboard sliding across the snow, forms a thin layer of water to slide upon.


TheSnowPros.org CHAPTER 1: PHYSICS OF SNOWBOARDING 21


1


CHAPTER


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104  |  Page 105  |  Page 106  |  Page 107  |  Page 108  |  Page 109  |  Page 110  |  Page 111  |  Page 112  |  Page 113  |  Page 114  |  Page 115  |  Page 116  |  Page 117  |  Page 118  |  Page 119  |  Page 120  |  Page 121  |  Page 122  |  Page 123  |  Page 124  |  Page 125  |  Page 126  |  Page 127  |  Page 128  |  Page 129  |  Page 130  |  Page 131  |  Page 132  |  Page 133  |  Page 134  |  Page 135  |  Page 136  |  Page 137  |  Page 138  |  Page 139  |  Page 140  |  Page 141  |  Page 142  |  Page 143  |  Page 144  |  Page 145  |  Page 146  |  Page 147  |  Page 148  |  Page 149  |  Page 150  |  Page 151  |  Page 152