I can throw a flat rock quite far. Now I know it is from the air keeping it up longer but does the spinning have anything to do with it?. When the rock leaves my finger tip it spins off very quickly. I am wondering if that same rock would travel the same distance if it didn't spin when it left my hand. In other words does a flat spinning rock have more lift than a non spinning flat rock. thanks.
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If you attempt to throw a flat piece of paper you will see what the spinning does.
The paper changes its angle in the air and rapidly flutters to a stop.
The spinning provides a gyroscopic effect that keeps the stone in the orientation that it was when it left your hand.
You chose this orientation to provide an angle of attack that gives lift.
Other angles would drive the stone down not up.
Experiment with a frisbee to see the effects of that spinning. Not enough and it also flutters and wobbles in the air.
The paper changes its angle in the air and rapidly flutters to a stop.
The spinning provides a gyroscopic effect that keeps the stone in the orientation that it was when it left your hand.
You chose this orientation to provide an angle of attack that gives lift.
Other angles would drive the stone down not up.
Experiment with a frisbee to see the effects of that spinning. Not enough and it also flutters and wobbles in the air.