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Why aren't planes dimpled like golf balls? episode artwork

EPISODE · Jun 15, 2020 · 3 MIN

Why aren't planes dimpled like golf balls?

from Question of the Week, from the Naked Scientists · host Dr Chris Smith

Darren got in touch to ask us: "Golf balls are dimpled to disrupt the air around the ball. As far as I can gather, this reduces their drag and allows them to fly further than they would if they were perfectly round. Why do we not see dimpled cars, aircraft, and trains? If this effect is so effective for golf balls, why not use it on Formula 1 cars, for instance?"Adam Murphy went looking for a hole-in-one to this question, and spoke to Sam Grimshaw from the Whittle Lab at the University of Cambridge... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

What this episode covers

Darren got in touch to ask us: "Golf balls are dimpled to disrupt the air around the ball. As far as I can gather, this reduces their drag and allows them to fly further than they would if they were perfectly round. Why do we not see dimpled cars, aircraft, and trains? If this effect is so effective for golf balls, why not use it on Formula 1 cars, for instance?"Adam Murphy went looking for a hole-in-one to this question, and spoke to Sam Grimshaw from the Whittle Lab at the University of Cambridge... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

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Why aren't planes dimpled like golf balls?

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Question of the Week, from the Naked Scientists?

This episode is 3 minutes long.

When was this Question of the Week, from the Naked Scientists episode published?

This episode was published on June 15, 2020.

What is this episode about?

Darren got in touch to ask us: "Golf balls are dimpled to disrupt the air around the ball. As far as I can gather, this reduces their drag and allows them to fly further than they would if they were perfectly round. Why do we not see dimpled cars,...

Can I download this Question of the Week, from the Naked Scientists episode?

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