The Physics of Sailing

Josh Rosen Video on Sep 30, 2008 by for
Topics: Engineering, Physics, Television
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Northern California has a storied, 500-year history of sailing. But despite this rich heritage, scientists and boat designers continue to learn more each day about what makes a sail boat move. Contrary to what you might expect, the physics of sailing still present some mysteries to modern sailors.

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  • uri neta

    want to start course of sailing physics for 15 age children from poor families and to get them drive sail boats

  • Zoobernarf

    Great video! Excellent relation to Bernoulli principal that is done much better than other online sources.

  • ThisOldSalt

    Bernoulli's principle has far less to do with a sailboat's ability to move than newton's 3rd law, and is often the incorrect answer given to describe sailing and flying. If Bernoulli was an appropriate description of the physics of airfoils, it could explain inverted flight and downwind sailing. The familiar curved shape of an airfoil functions to reduce drag. It is the flatter underside of of the wing, an the windward "scoop" of the sail that produces lift.