Why Do Dimples on a Golf Ball or Other Things Reduce Drag? What's the Underlying Physics?
A golf ball is a classic example of an object with dimples that reduce drag. Dimples are small, shallow indentations in the surface of the ball. They create a turbulent boundary layer around the ball, which helps to reduce the pressure drag. Pressure drag is the force that opposing the motion of an object through a fluid due to the difference in pressure between the front and back of the object. The turbulent boundary layer created by the dimples helps to reduce the pressure differential, and thus reduces the pressure drag.
The same principle applies to other objects with dimples, such as golf balls, tennis balls, and even the skin of sharks. In each case, the dimples create a turbulent boundary layer that helps to reduce drag.
The underlying physics
The underlying physics behind the reduction of drag by dimples is the creation of a turbulent boundary layer. A boundary layer is a thin layer of fluid that surrounds an object moving through a fluid. When the boundary layer is laminar, the fluid flows smoothly over the surface of the object. However, when the boundary layer is turbulent, the fluid flow is chaotic and unsteady. This chaotic flow helps to reduce the pressure drag on the object.
Five related questions
- What are some other objects that have dimples to reduce drag?
- How do dimples affect the flight of a golf ball?
- What is the difference between laminar and turbulent boundary layers?
- How do dimples reduce pressure drag?
- What are some of the benefits of reducing drag on objects?
Five related hot-selling products
- TaylorMade Golf Balls
- Wilson Tennis Balls
- Shark Skin Swimsuits
- Aerodynamic Car Designs
- High-Efficiency Aircraft
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