Gymnasts use physics every day. As a gymnast I had never realized how much physics went into every movement, every back handspring, every mistake on the bars. If gymnasts were physicists (or at least knew more about physics) they would be better equipped to handle the difficult aspects of gymnastics. As a gymnast I learned the movements needed to complete the tricks I was working on and as a coach I taught the same to others. I never really understood why a particular angle gave me a better back handspring or why the angle at which I hit a springboard really mattered when completing a vault. We will explore some of the different gymnastics apparatus and some of the laws of physics that are involved in them. We won't even scratch the surface of the different ways physics can explain gymnastics. Newton's Laws Newton's Laws can be found in the textbook Physics for Scientists and Engineers by Serway. Newton's First Law An object remains at rest or in motion unless an external force acts on it. Newton's Second Law The acceleration of a body or object is directly proportional to the overall force acting on the body or object and is inversely proportional to its mass. F = ma Newton's Third Law For every action force there is an equal and opposite reaction force.The floorThere are many aspects of physics found on the floor. The gymnast performs on a floor that "measures 12 x 12 metres, with an additional 1 meter safety edge. The performance area must have an elastic surface, to allow power during the take-off and softness on landing". (FIG) The elasticity of the surface present in the mat gives the gymnast extra bounce which increases her momentum. Let's go over a basic stunt run. All three of Newton's laws can be seen in this stunt ride. We can see Newton's first law before the gymnast even takes a single step. Until she takes a step, the gymnast is at rest. When ready for the stunt, the gymnast applies force. A gymnast starts running as she approaches a fall run and as she moves across the floor she increases her momentum. This is a demonstration of Newton's second law.