The draws have been announced and soccer fans around the world are already buzzing with anticipation of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. It’s arguably the world’s most significant sporting event, and while American enthusiasm for the game is dwarfed by its popularity in pretty much every other nation, interest here in the states has grown substantially, as has the quality of play that the US puts on the field.
Tonic recently reported on the Revolutionary War rematch for the US to kick off the tournament against England, which already promises to be a terrific match.
The 2010 event will be hosted by South Africa, and there’s an interesting scientific twist to the setting reported by MSNBC. Some of the 10 stadiums that will host matches are at sea level, but several are at substantial elevation approximating 4,000 feet above sea level, with the Soccer City stadium sitting at 5,500 feet.
In addition to the cardiovascular fitness considerations that the competitors will need to heed, add the physics of soccer ball travel into the mix. At higher elevations, the ball will travel farther and faster compared to a ball with the same level of kinetic energy applied at sea level.
By way of example, MSNBC indicates that a 20-yard free kick will arrive at its target some 5 percent faster, putting extra pressure on the fullbacks and goalkeepers to be extra sharp. Additional ball behavior changes at the higher elevations include goal clearance kicks that will travel farther, and shots on goal less likely to have a goalie-confounding spin applied to them due to the thinner air.
The study of the ball behaviors anticipated in the South African settings was performed by sportswear giant Adidas, which produces a new ball for World Cup events when they roll around every four years.
Photo courtesy of Tsutomu Takasu, via Wikimedia Commons
