Date:         Thu, 21 Jul 2011 14:23:29 -0400
Reply-To:     David Beierl <dbeierl@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David Beierl <dbeierl@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
Subject:      Re: LineX Syncro Westy
Comments: To: Karl Wolz <wolzphoto@Q.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <E2460B7D0BAA4826AD98B0A813F8C3EC@KarlPC>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed

At 09:49 PM 7/20/2011, Karl Wolz wrote:
>Golf balls are dimpled because, with the tremedous rate of backspin
>developed by the angled club face, they actually fly, with the dimples

They'd produce lift just as well without the dimples.  But the
dimples generate turbulence which creates more drag *but* helps keep
the laminar airflow from separating on the trailing edge of the ball
and producing big eddies, giving a net reduction in drag.

The lift is significant, by the way.  I did a Science Fair project in
high school that involved a cardboard cylinder spun by a flexible
shaft from an Erector Set motor.  Blow air across it from a window
fan and like the little angels it would rise up, rise up, rise up
high.  [That's for you, Ed...and others with ears to hear.]

The little angled afterthoughts you see stuck on to big aircraft
wings are turbulence generators, and you can buy them for cars as well.

There's a great article here:
http://www.aerospaceweb.org/question/aerodynamics/q0215.shtml

Yours,
David