This document provides instructions for a physics holiday assignment involving investigating a sport activity using video analysis software. Students are asked to: 1) Investigate a sport activity or event using video analysis software to apply mechanics principles. Some example sports are standing broad jump, long jump, and basketball throw. 2) Submit a summary of their investigation aim and procedures by March 5th. 3) Submit a final report by March 31st presenting their investigation strategy, procedures, data collection and analysis, conclusions, and evaluation. The report should be 10 pages or less following specific formatting guidelines. 4) Work in groups of three and use standard physics lab equipment as well as video analysis software and a video camera meeting

1. RIVER VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL
H2 PHYSICS (9646)
2010 Year 5 Term 1 Physics Holiday Assignment
Introduction
Sport science is a discipline that studies the application of scientific principles and
techniques with the aim of improving sporting performance. Sport science incorporates
physiology, psychology, motor control, biomechanics, nutrition, etc.
Sports scientists and performance consultants are growing in demand and employment
numbers, with the ever-increasing focus within the sporting world on achieving the best
results possible. Through the study of science and sport, researchers have developed a
greater understanding on how the human body reacts to exercise, training, different
environments and many other stimuli.
Task
1. Using video analysis software, you are to investigate one sport activity or event.
- Some ideas of sport activity are standing broad jump (NAPFA), long jump, basketball
throw, etc.
- Other major sport events can be found in the website of Singapore’s 1st Youth
Olympic Games (http://www.singapore2010.sg/public/sg2010/en.html) or 2008
Beijing Olympic Games (http://en.beijing2008.cn/).
2. You are to apply mechanics1 principles in your investigation.
Instructions
1. You must complete this assignment in groups of three.
2. You must submit a summary, no more than two A4 pages, of your investigation aim and
procedures to your physics teacher by 5th March 2010.
3. In addition to the summary (see point 2), please attach your equipment request for your
investigation. You must use standard equipment found in our physics laboratory.
4. In addition to standard laboratory equipment, you must have the following:
• Video analysis software (an open source version can be downloaded at
http://www.cabrillo.edu/~dbrown/tracker/)
• You may use video clips available on the Internet or you may capture your own
videos. For video capturing, you may want to consider using videocam/digital
camera/handphone with the following specifications
- minimum VGA video quality of 640 x 480 at 30 frames per seconds (fps)
- digital output in .avi or .mov format (other formats may not work with the video
analysis software)
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Physics 9646 (2011) syllabus pp8 – 12.
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2. Final product
You must submit a type-written report of not more than ten A4 pages (not including
appendix). The formatting must be single line spacing and the font is “Arial” with size 11.
Your report should include:
1. the general strategy, based on scientific knowledge and understanding. You should pay
due attention to the
• variables
• factor that is to be investigated
• approach to the task
2. a detailed procedure. You should pay due attention to
• choice of appropriate apparatus
• safety aspects
• reliability of results
3. data collected and how it is processed
4. conclusion and recommendations
5. evaluation of your investigation
An example of a final report can be found in the file “final_report.pdf”.
Weighting
This assignment constitutes 4% of your entire year Physics final overall result and 40% of
your Term 1 Physics results. The assessment rubrics for this assignment can be found in the
document titled “Rubrics for 2010 Year 5 Term 1 Holiday Assignment”.
Deadline
Please submit the final report to your physics teacher by 31st March 2010.
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