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Play Ball


Everything that you have learned about flow around an airfoil also applies to flow around other shapes - like a baseball!

In this little simulator you can use the input sliders and buttons to pitch at various locations (different altitudes affect lift!) and throw different pitches. A curveball works pretty much like an airfoil to produce the curve. But instead of changing the pressure top and bottom by angle of attack or through camber, the pressure is changed because the ball spins. It's called the "Magnus Effect" and some of the baseball lessons will lead you through this. If you have had enough of the lessons, you can just play with the package. If you push the "Play Ball" button at the bottom left and then the "Ballpark" button on the Plotter Control Panel, you can try to get a curveball over the plate. There are many variables to consider - speed of the pitch, spin on the ball, release point, and angle - but that's why they pay them the big bucks!!!


Baseball Lessons

Description of how to use the Baseball Panels

Enjoy !


Please send any comments to:
Curator:
Tom.Benson@grc.nasa.gov
Responsible Official: Kathy.Zona@grc.nasa.gov