【Haichuan Teahouse】The pitfalls of golf balls: It’s not true that the smoother something is, the less resistance there is
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If the dimples on a golf ball can reduce wind resistance, why don’t cars do the same? There were indeed experiments conducted, and the results showed that at the same speed, the original vehicle could travel 26 miles per gallon of fuel, while the modified version could cover 29 miles per gallon – thus improving fuel efficiency. But then why isn’t this design used?
I don’t know if this experiment is real. Logically, the fuel-saving effect should be quite significant, exceeding 10%. Even if that were true, such a design goes against common sense and good morals, so it’s unlikely to find many supporters. Additionally, this type of groove is not easy to clean and could become a place where dirt accumulates: lol
The slight indentations on the surface of a golf ball are actually the result of natural selection. Initially, the surface of a golf ball was smooth. However, golfers have noticed that as a golf ball ages, it becomes covered with scratches, dents, and cuts, and this seems to allow the ball to fly farther. Golfers naturally use gravity to drive the golf ball onto the course, so golf balls are usually in poor condition. In fact, aerodynamicists have already noticed this problem and realized that scratches and cuts on the surface of a sphere actually function as turbulators, which interfere with the air surrounding the sphere and help to form a boundary layer. In some cases, the turbulent boundary layer formed in the air near the ball can reduce air resistance, allowing the golf ball to travel farther.
There are two types of airflow around a golf ball: laminar flow and turbulent flow. Laminar flow experiences less resistance, but it is more prone to a phenomenon known as \"separation.\" When the boundary layer of laminar flow separates, the air resistance increases significantly due to the formation of vortices. Turbulence results in greater air resistance at first, but it has better adhesion, which reduces the occurrence of separation phenomena. Therefore, if the shape of an object makes separation more likely to occur, the best solution is to disrupt the boundary layer; this will temporarily increase air resistance, but in the long run it can enhance the air’s adhesion and reduce the formation of vortices. Without vortices, the air resistance is also **reduced**. Even a slight dent on a golf ball can disrupt the boundary layer. Compared to scratches and cuts, dents on golf balls are a more suitable way to create airflow disruption. This method disrupts the boundary layer and reduces air resistance; as a result, the golf ball can indeed travel farther.
One post leads to a bunch of physicists; P
More thought is needed; if further research can be conducted, then establishing a family and building a career won’t be far off: lol