Calculate the lift force generated by a spinning object moving through a fluid.
Fluid Dynamics Parameters
Results
Enter fluid density, area, and velocity to calculate
About this calculator
Overview
The Magnus effect describes the sidewise force exerted on a spinning object (like a ball or cylinder) as it moves through a fluid. This force is what causes 'curveballs' in sports like baseball, tennis, and soccer.
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Pro Tips
Air density at sea level (15°C) is approximately 1.225 kg/m³.
The lift coefficient (CL) is a dimensionless number that depends on the spin rate and surface conditions of the object.
The direction of the force is determined by the cross product of the angular velocity and linear velocity vectors.
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Fun Facts
"Flettner ships use massive spinning 'rotor sails' to capitalize on the Magnus effect for fuel-efficient propulsion."
"The effect was first precisely analyzed by Gustav Magnus in 1852, though Isaac Newton noticed it in tennis players long before."
"In a vacuum, a spinning ball would not curve at all because there is no fluid to exert the Magnus force."
