Temperature of a Football and Distance

Most recent answer: 10/22/2007

Q:
Does the temperature of a football impact on its distance thrown?
- Norman (age 11)
Stone Mountain, Georgia
A:
Hi Norman,

To a very good approximation, all other things being equal (how hard the ball is thrown and in what direction, the wind speed and whether the football playing field is level or not), a hot football should travel the same distance at the same speed as a cold football.

Tom

(published on 10/22/2007)