IA WRC 2507 Magnus Effect.
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THE MAGNUS EFFECT
INTRODUCTION
When an object possessing angular velocity moves through a fluid such as air, there will be a
force perpendicular to the object known as the Magnus force (Sandhu J. et al, 2011). The
Magnus effect was first described by Isaac Newton in 1671 where he observed that tennis
balls struck with an oblique racket would often have a curved trajectory (Jost Seifert, 2012),
but this phenomenon would become more well-known in the 19th century when Gustav
Magnus, a professor of Physics conducted an experiment utilizing the effect, hence the name
Magnus Effect (Jost Seifert, 2012).
I investigated how angular velocity of an object affects the deviation from its theoretical
landing point because of the Magnus Effect. Paper cylinders were released at different points
along the ramp to create different values of initial angular velocity. The deviation from the
cylinder’s theoretical landing point were determined using the programme Tracker which was
used to record the images of the trajectory of the cylinder and determine the cylinder's velocity
and displacement at each time frame.
RESEARCH QUESTION
How does the initial angular velocity of a paper cylinder affect the deviation from its
theoretical landing point after rolling off a ramp?
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
When a rotating object travels through air there will be a thin layer of air sticking to the
surface of the object (Sandhu J. et al, 2011). As the object is rotating, the combination of
the angular velocity of the object and the velocity of the fluid results in different velocities of
the fluid on the upper and lower surfaces of the object. The difference in fluid velocity
generates a pressure difference, thus creating a force perpendicular to the object, known as
the Magnus force (Sandhu J. et al, 2011).
Figure 1
Diagram of a rotating circular object traveling through a fluid. (Sandhu J. et al, 2011)
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To calculate the Magnus force Fm, we use the formula below (Sandhu J. et al, 2011):
Fm = 4 rw r 2v ℓ
Where I is the length of the cylinder, v is the speed of the object, is the angular velocity, r is
the radius of the cylinder and is the density of the surrounding air. This formula shows that
there is a relationship between Magnus force and the velocity and angular velocity of the object.
The effect of t h e Magnus force on the landing point can be determined by taking the
difference between the theoretical landing point and the actual landing point.
To calculate theoretical landing point X, we can use the standard formula for calculating the
distance of a projectile in a two-dimensional plane:
( ) (2v ) - 4(g + g k )( -2v H )
2
- 2v02 k + 2
0
2 2
0
X=
2( g + g k ) 2
Where v0 is the initial velocity, g is the gravitational acceleration (9.81 m s–2), H is the height of
release and k is the tangent of the sloped ramp, .
When a spinning object travels through the air it is subject to t h e gravitational force, air
drag, as well as Magnus forces. From various papers (Sandhu J et al, 2011, Alan M.N, 2007,
Byung J.A, 2013) regarding the trajectory of spinning objects it can be inferred that angular
velocity and linear velocity have a proportional have a proportional relationship with the
deviation between the actual and theoretical landing positions.
Assuming that there is no slipping as the paper cylinder rolls down the ramp, where v0 = 0 r,
and the Magnus force is the main contributor for the deviation distance, we can derive the
relationship between the initial angular velocity and deviation from theoretical landing point.
Assuming that the Magnus force is the main contributor to deviation distance, we write
Fm µmax
where ax is the acceleration in the direction of the horizontal plane, then the horizontal
displacement d can be calculated using the formula:
1
d = ut + axt 2
2
Let D = d1 – d2 where D is the deviation distance, d1 is horizontal displacement without drag or
magnus force and d2 is horizontal displacement with magnus force. Given that horizontal
displacement for d1 has no gravitational acceleration, d1 =u t hence d1 – d2 = ½ ax t2.
Since Fm m ax we then arrive at the following equation:
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1æ F ö
D µ ç m ÷ t2
2è mø
We know that D µFm = 4 rw r 2v ℓ, hence by assuming t and m are constant:
D µFm = 4 rw r 2v ℓ
Assuming no skidding as the paper cylinder rolls down the ramp, where v0, r, l and are
constant, we can derive:
D µ w 02
Again, D is the deviation distance travelled in the direction of magnus force.
Hence, we arrive at our hypothesis: D µ w 02
Deviation distance is proportional to initial angular velocity squared, thus an
increase in angular velocity of the paper cylinder will result in an increase in
deviation from the theoretical landing point.
VARIABLES
Independent variable
Initial angular velocity of the paper cylinder as it leaves the ramp.
Dependent variable
Deviation from the theoretical landing point. The actual landing point is calculated using the
Tracker program, and the theoretical landing point is calculated.
Controlled variables
Controlled Variable 1 Purpose Method to control
Angle of the ramp The theoretical horizontal A bubble level meter was
displacement is related to the used to check the angle of
tangent of the angle so if the the ramp. The ramp was also
angle is not kept constant the secured with tape. The angle
theoretical displacement of is maintained at 20°.
each repeat will differ.
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Controlled Variable 2 Purpose Method to control
Height of ramp from the The height affects the The ramp was secured with
ground. theoretical landing points tape. This was measured
seen in the equation for X. If with a ruler to ensure
the height H changed there constant height of 1.218
would be a different metres.
theoretical landing point.
Controlled Variable 3 Purpose Method to control
Diameter of cylinder. The Magnus force equation The same paper cylinder was
includes the radius of the used for all repeats. The
cylinder (radius squared) so a shape was kept constant by
variation in size of the radius inserting and removing a
would cause a change in solid cylinder into the core of
landing point. the paper cylinder to help
maintain overall shape.
Controlled Variable 4 Purpose Method to control
Air flow and pressure in the Any air turbulence in the The windows and doors were
room. physics lab would create closed, all fans and air
additional draft and produce conditioning were turned off.
erratic motion.
RISK ASSESSMENT
As the wooden ramp is heavy and placed at a high area, injury may occur if it falls, so I was
careful.
APPARATUS
• 1 Camera (Nikon 07200, records at 60 FPS)
• 1 Wooden ramp
• 1 Paper cylinder
• 1 Measuring tape. (Maximum length, 5m. Precision: 0.1cm, 0.001m)
• Bubble level meter (Handphone app, V 3.27, Nix Game, precision: 0.1°)
• 4 pieces of glitter paper
• 2.75cm radius cylindrical bottle
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METHOD PART 1 (PREPARING THE PAPER CYLINDER)
• Wrap a piece of A4 sized paper around a bottle of 2.75 cm radius
and cut the excess paper off before using glue to form the cylinder.
• The bottle is then removed such that the paper cylinder is hollow.
This is to ensure that the cylinder is light enough for the Magnus
effect to have a noticeable impact on the landing point.
METHOD PART 2 (EXPERIMENTAL SETUP)
• Set up the ramp at a 20° angle at an elevated position. The ramp angle is measured
using a bubble level and the height is measured using a measuring tape.
• Glitter paper is applied to the ramp to increase the roughness of the surface to
increase friction and reduce slipping while rolling.
• A camera is positioned 2.50 m away from the setup to capture images of the falling
paper cylinder.
Figure 2
METHOD STEP 3 (CONDUCTING THE EXPERIMENT)
• Close all windows or turn off any sources of air flow such as air conditioning.
• Release the cylinder at the 15 cm mark. Repeat this process 5 times and have the
camera record the falling motion of the cylinder rolling off the ramp.
• Repeat but increase the distance by 15 cm until I reached reach 75 cm.
• Insert a bottle into the core of the paper cylinder and remove it afterwards to maintain
the shape of the paper cylinder throughout the experiment.
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STEP 4 (OBTAINING THE DATA)
• Input the recording into the software Tracker (Version 5.1.5, Douglas Brown). The
software will track the trajectory of the paper cylinder as it falls. It uses distance
travelled per frame to calculate initial velocity.
• To find the positioning of the paper cylinder set the origin of a x-y axis at the point
where the paper cylinder leaves the ramp and the position of the cylinder relative to
the axis can be calculated.
• Take the displacement of the final landing point, the initial velocity and the time taken
for the cylinder to land.
Figure 3A. Tracker image of path
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Figure 3B: Sample Data
Figure 3C: Distance against Time
Trajectory of paper cylinder mapped out using “Tracker”
Figure 4
Trajectory of paper cylinder
with different initial angular velocities
Angular velocities are given.
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QUANTITATIVE DATA
The following tables encapsulate the initial velocity, displacement of the landing point and time
taken for a cylinder to reach the ground via Tracker.
Table Set 2.
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DATA PROCESSING
To calculate the initial angular velocity of the paper cylinder the equation v0 = w 0 r was used as
shown: 0 = (0.751/2.9) x 100 = 25.9. Where the radius of the cylinder is measured to be 2.9
cm. The displacement of the theoretical landing point is calculated by:
( ) (2v ) - 4(g + g k )( -2v H )
2
- 2v02 k + 2
0
2 2
0
X=
2( g + g k ) 2
Where v0 is the initial velocity, k is the tangent of the angle, gravity is the standard value, and
the height of the ramp is 1.218. By substituting these values into the equation, we find the
theoretical displacement, for this example, is X = 0.333:
We then subtract the actual landing point from the theoretical landing point and find:
0.333 – (–0.161) = 0.494
UNCERTAINTIES
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Table Set 3.
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RESULTS
Figure 5:
Graph of deviation from theoretical landing point against initial angular velocity squared.
PRESENTING PROCESSED DATA
As seen in Fig. 4, there is an obvious curvature in the trajectory of the paper cylinder as
it travels through the air because of the Magnus force. However, the relationship
between point of release and degree of curvature is unable to be discerned merely
from observing the trajectory of the paper cylinder.
As seen in Fig. 5, it is observed to be an increase in deviation of landing point when
the value of initial angular velocity squared increases, which can be seen through the
positive gradient of best fit line. Additionally, the relationship between the two
variables, initial angular velocity squared and deviation from theoretical landing point,
is linear. This matches our hypothesis, and this relationship is also backed up by
background information. As angular velocity increases, since Magnus force is
proportional to angular velocity squared, an increase in angular velocity would mean
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an increase in strength of Magnus force directed backwards, hence a greater
deviation from theoretical landing point.
However, as observed from the R 2 value of 0.7956 percent, around 20 percent of
values were unable to be accurately predicted by the trendline. There were a few
points that deviated slightly from the trendline, especially at lower values of initial
angular velocity squared such as from 1000 to 1500. This is likely due several causes
of random error due to the nature of this experiment which is worsened at lower initial
angular velocities as the paper cylinder distorts more easily. Additionally, it should be
noted that the trendline does not pass through the origin. This is likely to due to the
presence of drag force that causes a deviation from theoretical landing point even
when there is no initial angular velocity and magnus force.
EVALUATION
Figure 6: Force diagram of the trajectory of the paper cylinder
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Figure 7
Graph of time taken to reach the ground against angular velocity
THREE ASSUMPTIONS
One assumption made during the experiment was that Magnus force is the main contributor for
deviation in landing point. This assumption dismisses drag or air resistance as the contributors
to the actual landing point and suggests that these forces are negligible. Without this
assumption it would be impossible to determine the relationship between Magnus force and
deviation in landing point. Fortunately, throughout the experiment there is evidence that
Magnus force was a determinant for deviation in landing points. As seen in Fig. 6, the
trajectory of the paper cylinder is shown at two different stages. In the first stage, the paper
cylinder travels from the dropping point to the maximum displacement, at this stage drag force
is in the direction of the negative x axis, and as such contributes positively to the horizontal
deviation from the theoretical landing point. In the second stage, the paper cylinder travels
from the maximum displacement to the landing point. At this stage drag force is in the
direction of the positive x axis, and as such contributes negatively to the horizontal deviation
from the theoretical landing point, cancelling out the positive effect on horizontal deviation by
drag force in the first stage. As such, the overall effect of drag force on the horizontal
displacement can be deemed as minor. Magnus force (Fm) can be deemed as the main
contributor to the increase in horizontal deviation (D) from the theoretical displacement.
The second assumption made when deriving the relationship between initial angular velocity
squared and the Magnus force was the time was constant. As seen in Figure 7, time taken for
the paper cylinder to reach the ground is generally constant, suggesting that this assumption is
appropriate.
The third assumption is that the paper cylinder does not skid or slide when rolling down the
ramp. This is because v0 = 0 r, if the paper cylinder happens to skid while rolling down the
ramp, then the above equation would not be accurate in calculating angular velocity for a given
radius and velocity.
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SOURCES OF ERROR
One possible source of random error would most likely be the erratic air flow that could
influence the trajectory of the paper cylinder. While precautions are taken to reduce the amount
of air flow, nonetheless there will still be some air flow. Given the weight of the paper cylinder
being very low, a small amount of air flow could cause a change in landing point that may lead
to inaccurate results.
Another potential source of random error would be the irregularity of the shape of the paper
cylinder. Given that the cylinder is made of paper, if the paper is slightly distorted or bent while
travelling through the air, this may affect the strength of the magnus force, and lead to a
deviation in results from the 'actual' values.
A systematic error could be that while air resistance may have small or minimal effect on
the landing point of the paper cylinder. There will inevitably be some amount of error caused
by air resistance as the paper cylinder travels through the air. As it is dependent on the
trajectory of the paper cylinder which varies with initial angular velocity the degree of effect will
be very difficult to assess.
IMPROVEMENTS
• Instead of using a paper cylinder that distorts relatively easily, a hollow Styrofoam
cylinder that is light enough to be able to noticeably observe the Magnus effect could
be used instead. Without any distortions the airflow around the cylinder will be much
more consistent, allowing for more accurate and less random results.
• Using a camera with higher recording framerate would allow for a more accurate
mapping of the trajectory of the cylinder as it travels through the air. It also allows the
programme Tracker to more accurate pinpoint to moment the cylinder touches the floor
and the moment the cylinder leaves the ramp. This allows for more accurate calculation
of initial velocity, and more accurate calculation of the displacement of the paper
cylinder as it touches the floor.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the results and trendline obtained through this experiment satisfies the research
question. We can observe that the deviation in theoretical landing point is proportional to the
initial angular velocity squared and has a positive linear relationship. This matches with the
derived relationship that was derived in the background information. An increase in angular
velocity will result in an increase in strength of the Magnus force and hence a greater deviation
in distance from the theoretical landing point. However, the experiment has a few flaws such
as the large number of random uncertainties borne from the distortion of the paper cylinder and
the presence of some air flow, resulting in a R2 value of 0.749. This could be improved on using
rigid objects that are still light enough to be affected by magnus force when rolling off a ramp.
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REFERENCES as found in the report
What Is the Magnus Effect and How to Calculate It: Retrieved March 13th
http:l/ffden-phys.uaf.edu/211fall2010.web.dir/PatrickBrandon/whatisthemagnuseffect.html
Sandhu J., Edgington A., Grant M., Rowe-Gurney N., November 16, 2011, Journal of Physics,
Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leicester, Leicester.
https:I/journals .le.ac.uk/ojs1/index.php/psUarticle/view/2006
Jost Seifert . September 14th 2012. A review of the Magnus effect in aeronautics. EADS
Cassidian Air Systems , Technology and Innovation Management, MEI, Rechliner Str., 85077
Manching, Germany.
https :l/www .sciencedirect.com / science/artic le/ abs/ pii/S0376042112000656
Alan M. Nathan. 27 June 2007, The effect of spin on the flight of a baseball. Department of
Physics, University of Illinois, Urbana Illinois 61801.
http:l/baseball.phys ics.illinois.edu/AJPFeb08.pdf
Zhiyuan Wei, Lijie Ding, Kai Wei, Ziwei Wang, Rucheng Dai, 10 Oct 2016, Trajectory Prediction
of Rotating Objects in Viscous Fluid: Based on Kinematic investigation of Magnus Glider.
School of Gifted Young
https:l/arxiv.orq/abs/1610.02768
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