Final answer:
Heavier football players typically play on the front line due to the role's requirement for mass to generate momentum and exert force according to Newton's laws. For tackling effectively, players are advised to keep their feet on the ground to maximize control and force application. A lineman can out-push an opponent by using superior strength and technique, despite Newton's third law.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Roles on a Football Team
Not every member of a football team is identical in size and weight; these differences are strategic. Heavier football players are usually positioned on the front line because these roles, such as offensive and defensive linemen, require players who can exert and withstand significant forces in the battle for control at the line of scrimmage. Players in these positions benefit from having larger masses to generate greater momentum and apply stronger forces against opponents, an application of Newton's laws of motion.
Effective Tackling with Feet on the Ground
In football, coaches advise that players keep their feet on the ground when blocking, hitting, or tackling. This is because staying grounded allows a player to utilize their maximum mass in applying force, thus imparting the most effective momentum transfer possible. It's also optimal for maintaining balance, control, and leveraging the player's strength in performing these actions. When a player leaps, they lose some of these advantages, becoming more susceptible to being knocked off balance and losing control of the situation.
Out-Pushing the Opposition
A football lineman may think it's pointless to try to out-push an opponent due to experiencing an equal and opposite reaction force, according to Newton's third law. However, if the lineman uses superior strength and technique, they can overcome the opposing force by changing their opponent's state of motion. This illustrates that it’s not just about the forces experienced; it's also about how those forces are applied and managed within the larger context of the game.