Simple Physics: Blade weight

The same swing speed & contact point, heavier & harder blade will generate more energy on the ball. In terms of the rubber, it's not simple like that. The hardness of the sponge, the tackiness of the surface and the way you contact the incoming ball, etc will all impact the quality of your shot. 


Edited by chroot - 10/09/2020 at 8:45am

Rollko wrote: Hi all, Given simple physics rules, we know that a moving object with a certain weight will deliver more momentum than a lighter object (both moving with the same speed).  Imagine two scenarios: the first one with a heavy blade and light rubbers, and the second one with a lighter blade and heavier rubbers. Assuming the weight of these two set-ups is the same, and the centre mass of gravity is in the same position, which one will be a more favourable option for offensive looping game? Would a lighter blade be a less favourable option, despite the overall weight being the same? In other more simple words, for a BH short pips player, will having heavier short pips on BH help with the momentum and power of the FH, or will that be pretty much fixed with the weight of the blade providing the core of the power?

Interesting thought experiment.

From the standpoint of modal analysis, despite both cases having otherwise identical center of gravity, the mass of Case 1 is distributed closer to the blade head(more mass inside the blade) than that of Case 2. Case 1 should therefore experience less flex at the neck where the blade head and handle meet, which should result in less energy loss for bending modes. OTOH, the harder rubbers should make up some loss ground in Case 2 for membrane modes, but since the rubbers themselves would cause a substantial downward shift across all modes for both Case 1 and 2, that will likely cancel out the boost.

Theoretically speaking, Case 1 should be more balanced between loop-driving and speed-driving. Case 2 should be more suited for loop-driving.

Right. 

The question was presented in a too over-simplified manner.