Like many sports, the gameplay in football can be strongly affected by the ball’s spin. Corner kicks and free kicks can curve in non-intuitive ways, making the job of the Keep reading
Tag: magnus effect
Simulating a Curveball
Spinning an object in motion through a fluid produces a lift force perpendicular to the spin axis. Known as the Magnus effect, this physics is behind the non-intuitive behavior of Keep reading
Rock Skipping Tips
Almost everyone has tried skipping rocks across the surface of a pond or lake. Here Professor Tadd Truscott gives a primer on the physics of rock skipping, including some high-speed Keep reading
Magnus Force
Physics students are often taught to ignore the effects of air on a projectile, but such effects are not always negligible. This video features several great examples of the Magnus Keep reading
London 2012: Soccer Aerodynamics
Corner kicks and free kicks are tough to defend in football (soccer for Americans) because the ball’s trajectory can curve in a non-intuitive fashion. Known as the Magnus effect, the Keep reading
Reader Question: How Airfoils Produce Lift
doughboy3-deactivated20120305 asks: I’m a Undergrad Aeronautical Engineering student. I’m curious as to your opinion as to how airfoils produce lift. I know the usual theory told in this situation. However my Keep reading