Sports
Topspin and the Magnus Effect in Table Tennis
Quick fact
A table tennis ball spinning at 150 revolutions per second can curve up to 30 centimeters off its initial straight-line path before reaching the opponent.
Why this is interesting
Have you ever seen a table tennis ball suddenly dive downward after being hit? That dramatic curve isn't magic—it's the Magnus effect at work, and mastering it is the key to winning rallies.