Magnus Effect

We have shown in Eqn.4.144 that a force is produced when circulation is imposed upon a cylinder placed in uniform flow (see Fig. 4.38) . This force is nothing but the lift. This effect is called Magnus Effect in honour of the scholar Heinrich Magnus (1802 - 1870). Sports involving balls, such as golf, baseball, tennis see this effect in action. A spinning ball when hit in a horizontal direction follows a curved trajectory because of this effect.

Figure 4.38: Magnus Effect

(c) Aerospace, Mechanical & Mechatronic Engg. 2005
University of Sydney