Trajectory Prediction of Rotating Objects in Viscous Fluid: Based on Kinematic Investigation of Magnus Glider

TL;DR

This paper develops a model to predict the trajectory of rotating objects in viscous fluids, validated through experiments, with applications in sports and missile dynamics.

Contribution

The paper introduces an analytical model for Magnus force and validates it with wind tunnel experiments for near-cylinder rotating objects.

Findings

Magnus force is proportional to angular velocity times centroid velocity.

Trajectory predictions match experimental records.

Model demonstrates robustness and validity.

Abstract

The case of a rotating object traveling through viscous fluid appears in many phenomena like the banana ball and missile movement. In this work, we build a model to predict the trajectory of such rotating objects with near-cylinder geometry. The analytical expression of Magnus force is given and a wind tunnel experiment is carried out, which shows the Magnus force is well proportional to the product of angular velocity and centroid velocity. The trajectory prediction is consistent with the trajectory record experiment of Magnus glider, which implies the validity and robustness of this model.