page_title: Magnus effect
section_title: Ship propulsion and stabilization
hierarchical_section_title: Magnus effect / Ship propulsion and stabilization
caption_attribution_description: Deutsch: Die E-Ship 1 in Emden an der Cassens-Werft
context_page_description: The Magnus effect is an observable phenomenon that is commonly associated with a spinning object moving through the air or another fluid. The path of the spinning object is deflected in a manner that is not present when the object is not spinning. The deflection can be explained by the difference in pressure of the fluid on opposite sides of the spinning object. The Magnus Effect depends on the speed of rotation.
  The most readily observable case of the Magnus effect is when a spinning sphere curves away from the arc it would follow if it were not spinning. It is often used by football players, baseball pitchers and cricket bowlers. Consequently, the phenomenon is important in the study of the physics of many ball sports. It is also an important factor in the study of the effects of spinning on guided missiles—and has some engineering uses, for instance in the design of rotor ships and Flettner aeroplanes.
  Topspin in ball games is defined as spin about a horizontal axis perpendicular to the direction of travel that moves the top surface of the ball in the direction of travel.
context_section_description: Rotor ships use mast-like cylinders, called Flettner rotors, for propulsion.  These are mounted vertically on the ship's deck. When the wind blows from the side, the Magnus effect creates a forward thrust. Thus, as with any sailing ship, a rotor ship can only move forwards when there is a wind blowing. The effect is also used in a special type of ship stabilizer consisting of a rotating cylinder mounted beneath the waterline and emerging laterally. By controlling the direction and speed of rotation, strong lift or downforce can be generated. The largest deployment of the system to date is in the motor yacht Eclipse.
caption: E-Ship 1 with Flettner rotors mounted
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