Spin and Magnus force

• What is one benefit of spin in tennis and table tennis?

  It gives the ball stability in flight.
• How does topspin affect the flight path of a ball?

  It shortens the flight path, allowing harder hits.
• What is a strategic advantage of using spin in tennis and table tennis?

  It can confuse the opposition.
• How does sidespin affect the ball in golf and football?

  It allows the ball to swerve around obstacles.
• What are the two types of sidespin mentioned?

  • Hook
  • Slice
• What happens to the flight path of a ball with a hook sidespin?

  It deviates to the left.
• What happens to the flight path of a ball with a slice sidespin?

  It deviates to the right.
• Where is the eccentric force applied for topspin?

  Above the centre of mass.
• Where is the eccentric force applied for backspin?

  Below the centre of mass.
• Where is the eccentric force applied for sidespin hook?

  Right of the centre of mass.
• Where is the eccentric force applied for sidespin slice?

  Left of the centre of mass.
• What force is created from a pressure gradient on a spinning projectile?

  The Magnus force.
• What effect does topspin have on the Magnus force?

  It creates a downward Magnus force.
• What effect does backspin have on the Magnus force?

  It creates an upwards Magnus force.
• What does a sidespin rotation create in terms of Magnus force?

  A Magnus force to the left or right.
• How does topspin affect the flight path of a projectile?

  It shortens the flight path.
• What happens to the weight of a projectile with topspin?

  The effect of gravity is increased.
• What is the Magnus effect?

  It deviates the flight path of a spinning projectile.
• What is the definition of a hook in terms of sidespin?

  • A type of sidespin
  • Deviates a projectile's flight path to the left
• What is the definition of a slice in terms of sidespin?

  • A type of sidespin
  • Deviates a projectile's flight path to the right
• What should always be included in air flow or flight path diagrams?

  The direction of travel or motion.
• What is the relationship between spin and the Magnus force?

  Spin creates a pressure gradient, generating Magnus force.
• How does the application of topspin differ from backspin in terms of air flow?

  Topspin opposes air flow, backspin supports it.
• How does the Magnus force affect the flight path of a projectile with sidespin?

  It swerves the projectile left or right.
• If a ball is hit with topspin, what happens to its flight time?

  It decreases due to increased downward force.
• How would you describe the effect of a hook on a golf ball's trajectory?

  It causes the ball to curve left in flight.
• What would happen if a ball is hit with a slice in football?

  It would curve to the right around obstacles.