What causes a thrown baseball to curve?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the forces acting on a thrown baseball, specifically focusing on how spin and the seams of the ball contribute to its curving trajectory. The scope includes theoretical and conceptual aspects of physics as they relate to baseball.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes that the spinning ball drags air molecules, creating a pressure differential that results in a sideways force, which is identified as the Magnus effect.
  • Another participant elaborates on the airflow around the ball, explaining that the airflow remains attached longer on the side spinning backwards, affecting the wake and contributing to the curve.
  • A different participant suggests looking into a specific book, "The Physics of Baseball," for further insights on the physics involved.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants present various aspects of the physics involved, but there is no explicit consensus on the details or implications of the discussed forces.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not resolve the complexities of the airflow dynamics or the specific contributions of the seams versus the spin of the ball.

nst.john
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I'm an avid baseball fan and since I've gotten interested in physics, it's pretty cool to try to combine the two.

I was wondering what forces act on a thrown baseball and how the spin and the seams of the ball cause it to curve.
 
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As the spinning ball moves through the air, the surface of the ball drags air molecules along with it causing the air pressure to be slightly larger on one side of the ball (and smaller on the opposite side) This pressure differential creates a sideways force on the ball curving its path. This is called Magnus effect.
 
The airflow near the surface of the ball remains "attached" longer on the side that is spinning backwards from the direction of travel, causing the air in the "wake" left behind the ball to get diverted a bit towards the side that is spinning forwards from the direction of travel. Wiki article:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnus_effect
 
nst.john said:
I'm an avid baseball fan and since I've gotten interested in physics, it's pretty cool to try to combine the two.

I was wondering what forces act on a thrown baseball and how the spin and the seams of the ball cause it to curve.
If you are interested in the physics of baseball, look up on Amazon the book entitled "The Physics of Baseball" that came out a few decades ago. It is still very popular, and gives good explanations.

Chet
 

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