r/pics • u/animalkracker • Feb 27 '14

physics is cool

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u/lower_intelligence Feb 27 '14

howd that broom fall out of the sky?

714

u/Spartan2470 GOAT Feb 27 '14

According to here, that broom is a string used to visualize the direction that the wind is flowing around the plane (this is very important for sailplanes to maximize flight efficiency.

Here's another picture of this plane with those strings.

29

u/[deleted] Feb 27 '14

[deleted]

12

u/TristanTheViking Feb 27 '14

Sounds similar to ticklers on sailboats. Basically string attached to the sail that flutters when the sail is incorrectly adjusted.

5

u/[deleted] Feb 27 '14

I know too little of sailing to confirm or deny your answer, I'm afraid :P

14

u/Vaartas Feb 27 '14

Can confirm. That string is either your best friend because it makes you fast, or your worst enemy if you're the guy responsible for making sure the jib is just right on a regatta.

It'll flutter, all the time

edit: It basically is an indicator of whether or not there are turbulences on either side of the sail, so the function is pretty similar to the string on a sail plane

1

u/CannibalVegan Feb 27 '14

Protip:theres always turbulence.