Biology
What makes brushing the ball feel more effective than hitting it square in table tennis?
Quick fact
Brushing the ball creates rapid topspin at up to 150 revolutions per second, which generates a downward Magnus force that pulls the ball onto the table.
Why this is interesting
A table tennis ball can be hit so hard that it would fly meters past the table—but with a brushing motion, it curves down violently and lands just inside the baseline.