Strange as it seems, elite swimmers are faster when swimming underwater than they are at the surface. So much so, in fact, that they’re restricted to being underwater only 15 Keep reading
Tag: pressure drag
Holiday Fluids: Santa’s Aerodynamics
Today we have some holiday-themed fluid dynamics: visualization of flow around Santa’s sleigh! This is a flowing soap film visualization at a low speed (author Nick Moore has some other Keep reading
London 2012: Rowing Physics
In rowing, as in any water sport, drag comes in three varieties: skin friction, form (or pressure) drag, and wave drag. Skin friction comes from the friction between the hull Keep reading
Sharkskin-Style Swimsuits
Fans of swimming will recall the controversies of the now-banned sharkskin-style swimsuits that helped break so many records in the past few years. The suits decrease drag on a swimmer Keep reading
Tour de France Physics: Time Trials
Unlike road stages in which cyclists can draft off one another to reduce drag, in the time trial a cyclist is on a solo race against the clock with nowhere Keep reading
Tour de France Physics: Breakaways
In cycling, a small group of riders often leave the protection of the peloton in a breakaway. These riders will often spend 80% or more of a stage or race Keep reading
Tour de France Physics: Pelotons
July is well underway and for cycling fans around the world that means it’s time for the Tour de France. This week at FYFD we’re going to do something a Keep reading