Heavier, curvy stones can give surprising results in skipping, physicists say

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External News Details

Skipping a stone across water requires skill and patience and, of course, a great stone. Personal preference may send you to a flat, light one, which seems to skip easier. But scientists have found that is not the only way to get impressive leaps. A recent University of Bristol study researched how shape and mass affect the way objects interact with water. And it found that a heavier rock with a good curve — imagine the shape of a mango but smaller —  can get an impressive bounce. David Hu, a professor with the School of Biological Sciences and the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, and an adjunct professor in the School of Physics, did not take part in the study but comments on how surprised he was that the Bristol scientists studied curved objects. 

Additional Information

Groups

College of Sciences

Categories
Physics and Physical Sciences
Keywords
College of Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, School of Physics, Wallace H. Coulter School of Mechanical Engineering, David Hu, rock skipping, skipping stones on water
Status
  • Created By: Renay San Miguel
  • Workflow Status: Published
  • Created On: Jan 9, 2023 - 2:31pm
  • Last Updated: Jan 9, 2023 - 2:31pm