Applying the Magnus effect for unique ping-pong trick shots. 📹 Pongfinity

Watch the Magnus effect spin a basketball away when dropped from a dam

The Magnus effect occurs when a spinning object flies through the air, creating a whirlpool of air currents around it. This results in pressure differences that can significantly alter the object's path—an invisible force shaping many sports dynamics.

The Magnus effect is a phenomenon that occurs when a spinning object (such as a ping-pong ball) experiences a sideways force perpendicular to the direction of motion. The effect is caused by the difference in pressure on opposite sides of the object (here due to the ball's spin), which results in a deflection of the object’s path. The effect was first described by Heinrich Gustav Magnus in 1852, who provided a physical explanation of the phenomenon. The Magnus effect is important in ball sports, guided missiles, and engineering applications.

The Magnus effect is a phenomenon in fluid dynamics where a rotating object, such as a spinning ball, experiences a sideways force perpendicular to the direction of the fluid flow. This effect is commonly observed in sports like soccer or tennis, where the spin applied to the ball influences its trajectory. For instance, when a soccer player kicks a ball with spin, the Magnus effect causes the ball to curve in the air. This occurs because the spinning motion creates a pressure difference on opposite sides of the ball, leading to the observed curved path. The Magnus effect has applications in various fields, including sports, aerodynamics, and engineering.

I really admire these table tennis guys using the Magnus effect. 🏓

@dan_ninee @back2mello

This was the effect that mad the dangerous Roberto Carlos free kick famous

Hay lam

@Robwalliss

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