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There’s a lot to learn from the #WinterOlympics, including physics, math, engineering and psychology, if the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat isn’t enough for you.

Watch the games a little smarter with 6 science reads (thread) ⬇️

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Ski jumpers plunge down ramps nearly 300 feet tall, then fly farther than a football field.

How? A delicate balance of gravity, lift and drag.

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Luge, skeleton and bobsled athletes don’t fly — they hurtle down ice at ~90 mph.

Gravity provides the thrust, while body position and tiny movements control steering and drag.

One small mistake can mean a crash.

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Math of #hockey:

Research shows chance plays a bigger role in hockey outcomes than in sports like football or basketball, thanks to deflections, bounces and split-second timing.

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Much of the 2026 Games will be run on artificial snow.

Unlike light, airy natural flakes, machine-made snow packs dense and icy. This changes speed, grip and how much falls hurt.

theconversation.com/olympic-sk…

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Order matters in the #Olympics.

Athletes who compete first, last, or right after a standout performance may be judged differently.

Psychological biases are part of why some sports explore computer-assisted judging.

theconversation.com/our-psycho…

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How to stay warm while skiing and snowboarding and skating: a look at the materials science of how cold weather sporting gear handles athletes working up a sweat while extremely cold.
theconversation.com/winter-oly…
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... and not a word about microplastics and the toxicity of synthetic apparel.