Full Answer
What determines the aerodynamics of a golf ball?
The aerodynamics of a ball are determined by its mass and shape, in particular the nature of the surface. A complex pattern of dimples of varying sizes, shapes and depths influence the air flow around the ball. By roughening the surface, the critical Reynolds number is reduced to speeds within the golfer’s range.
How do airplanes fly on a golf ball?
Lift, the force that enables air-planes to fly, results from the back spin of the ball. Air passing over the top of the ball is speeded up while air below is slowed. This results – by way of Bernoulli’s principle – in lower pressure above and an upward force on the ball.
What determines the distance a golf ball can travel?
It is the lift resulting from golf ball back-spin and surface dimples that largely contributes to the extra distance travelled, over and above that which would be achieved without this effect. Finally, ambient conditions have to be taken into account, e.g. wind speed, air density, etc.
How do you predict the flight of a golf ball?
After many years of research and testing, we have developed a mathematical model for the flight of a golf ball. We use this model to predict the flight based on initial golf ball parameters such as speed, launch angle, spin along with environmental conditions such as air temperature, air pressure, humidity, etc.
What happens to the motion of the golf ball as it flies into the air?
The circular motion of a golf ball as it travels through the air. As a ball moves forward through the air, the dimples cause the ball to actually spin backwards, pulling the airflow downwards. As this happens, the air at the bottom of the ball pushes up against the ball, creating more lift.
What forces act on a golf ball in the air?
Once the ball is in flight, several forces act upon it. Some of these forces include: gravity, aerodynamic drag, and aerodynamic lift. Each force acts independently on the moving golf ball.
How do you calculate golf ball for flight?
The equation 5/7 f v sin 0 is used to calculate the vertical velocity of the ball traveling up the club head face where f is the fraction of speed remaining when the compression of the ball is considered, 0 is the angle of the clubface at impact and v is the velocity of the club head.
What happens to the vertical motion of the golf ball as it rises in the air?
(c) The velocity in the vertical direction begins to decrease as the object rises; at its highest point, the vertical velocity is zero. As the object falls towards the Earth again, the vertical velocity increases again in magnitude but points in the opposite direction to the initial vertical velocity.
How does Newton's 2nd law apply to golf?
Second Law: Force equals mass times acceleration (f=ma). When a golf club carries an unbalanced force it carries a change in velocity. The change in velocity is acceleration. The greater the force applied to the golf ball the greater the acceleration.
How does Newton's 3rd law apply to golf?
Newton's 3rd law states with every reaction, there is an equal and opposite reaction. As the golf club comes down at the bottom of the swing, the club head comes in contact with the golf ball at a certain force, as they come in contact, the force of the club on the ball is equal to the force of the ball on the club.
What is the physics of golf?
The physics of golf is a detailed subject. It involves forces and aerodynamics, occurring during the hitting of the ball, during its flight through the air, during the run of the ball (after landing), and during the putt. Golfers often put much effort into perfecting their golf game.
How long does a golf ball stay in the air?
six to seven secondsUnfortunately, golf balls are required to spin to achieve the Magnus effect, allowing them to stay in the air for six to seven seconds (average drive hang time).
What determines the distance a golf ball travels?
It is the interaction between the golf clubhead and golf ball that determines how far a golf ball will travel, as well as its direction of travel. Without the right combination of initial velocity, initial angle of flight, and golf ball spin, the maximum golf ball distance cannot be achieved.
What happens to the vertical velocity as the ball goes down?
There is a vertical acceleration caused by gravity; its value is 9.8 m/s/s, down, The vertical velocity of a projectile changes by 9.8 m/s each second, The horizontal motion of a projectile is independent of its vertical motion.
What happened to the vertical velocity of the rider as it take off the cliff?
Once the car drives off the cliff, its motion will be affected by the gravitational acceleration. In fact, if you break down its motion on two dimensions, you can say that vertically the car is free falling because the vertical component of its initial velocity is equal to zero.
What is the equation for projectile motion?
h = v 0 y 2 2 g . This equation defines the maximum height of a projectile above its launch position and it depends only on the vertical component of the initial velocity.
Abstract and Figures
The three dimensional (3D) flight of a golf ball at taking into account the Magnus effect is studied in the paper. For this purpose it is composed a system of six nonlinear differential equations. To determine the 3D orientation of the ball the rotations around all three axes are given by the so-called Cardan angles instead of classical Euler ones.
References (18)
The paper examines the general motion of a homogeneous rigid body in a fluid environment. The body is an ellipsoid with three mutually perpendicular planes of geometric and material symmetry. The cuts of these planes with the ellipsoid represent three different ellipses. The body is accepted with six degrees of freedom.
Why does a golf ball fly at high altitudes?
The golf ball flies further in high altitudes mainly due to the change in air density, which decreases as elevation increases. Thinner air exerts less drag force on the ball. The ball moves more easily through the air and doesn't slow down as quickly as it flies, resulting in greater distance.
What is the effect of the spin of a ball on the trajectory of an airplane?
Thus, at higher elevations the trajectory is less influenced by lift, and thus has a "flatter" shape and a more glancing impact with the ground.
How far can you drive a golf ball at sea level?
If you normally drive the ball 250 yards at sea level, you will likely drive it 265 yards in Reno. The golf ball does not spin any less at high elevation. However, because the air is less dense and imparts less force on the ball, the lift force is also lower.
What is a hook in golf?
A hook or slice is generated when the ball's spin axis is tilted and the lifting force pulls a little to the left or right (as a result of the golfer imparting some amount of sidespin to the ball) instead of straight up.
Does golf slow down as fast as it flies?
Thus, it doesn't slow down as quickly as it flies, resulting in greater distance. Since golf shots vary widely in their launch conditions (the initial speed, spin rate, and launch angle of the ball), the effect will vary greatly depending on the golfer and what club is being used.
Is it easier to hit the ball straight or curve?
It's easier to hit the ball straight, but it's harder to intentionally curve it. Short Shots at High Altitude. Everything stated above becomes less important as shots get shorter. The shorter the shot, the slower it's moving through the air, and the less effect is felt from anything aerodynamic.
Does elevation affect golf ball aerodynamics?
This means, on short approaches and greenside shots, you don't have to adjust for elevation.