Watching a ski jumper fly through the air might get you wondering, “How do they do that?” The answer is – physics! That’s why this episode, we have two physicists – <a href="https://www.clemson.edu/science/academics/departments/physics/about/profiles/amyj"target="_blank" >Amy Pope</a>, a physicist from Clemson University and host <a href="https://www.npr.org/people/1082526815/regina-g-barber"target="_blank" >Regina G. Barber</a> – break down the science at play across some of the sports at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Because what’s a sport without a little friction, lift and conservation of energy? They also get into the new sport this year, ski mountaineering - or “skimo” as many call it - and the recent scandal involving the men’s ski jump suits.  Interested in more science behind Olympic sports? Check out our episodes on<a href="https://www.npr.org/2026/02/04/nx-s1-5692856/olympics-bobsled-skeleton-luge-brain-health"target="_blank" > how extreme G-forces affect Olympic bobsledders</a>, the <a href="https://www.npr.org/2022/02/04/1078181430/the-physics-of-figure-skating"target="_blank" >physics of figure skating</a> and the <a href="https://www.npr.org/2024/08/02/1198910473/simone-biles-olympics-gymnastics-medals-physics"target="_blank" >science behind Simone Biles' Olympic gold</a>.  Also, we’d love to know what science questions have you stumped. Email us your questions at <a href="mailto:shortwave@npr.org"target="_blank" >shortwave@npr.org</a> – we may solve it for you on a future episode! Listen to every episode of Short Wave sponsor-free and support our work at NPR by signing up for Short Wave+ at <a href="http://plus.npr.org/shortwave"target="_blank" >plus.npr.org/shortwave</a>. Learn more about sponsor message choices: <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a> <a href="https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy">NPR Privacy Policy</a>

Podurama

Home

Trending

Personal

Your Podcasts

New Episodes

My Files

Favourite Episodes

Tags (Folders)

Recently Played

Bookmarks

Followed Playlists

The physics of the Winter Olympics

Short Wave

AI Chapters

AI Insights

Reviews