Science of the Olympics – The Bernoulli Advantage

I can’t help but be amazed by the high-tech science that we’re seeing at this year’s Summer Olympics. Our 9News friend, Mark Koebrich, who is reporting from Beijing told me that the controversial swimsuit made by Speedo is nothing short of an engineering marvel that is definitely helping our Olympians perform to their true potential. The name of the game in so many of the sports is to reduce any opposing resistance. In some instances, the athlete can actually use other competitors to block the wind (drafting in cycling).

What does any of this have to do with floating beach balls and flying toilet paper? That fast-moving air flowing around the object creates an area of lower pressure and gives the athlete an advantage. Thanks Bernoulli.