Physics of Table Tennis

A Table Tennis ball (commonly known as a ping-pong ball) is governed first and foremost by Newton's laws of motion. However, a significant component of the game is spinning the ball, the effects of which are observed as a result of the Magnus effect on the ball. Through spinning, the Magnus effect adds a whole new dimension to the game, allowing the successful execution of shots that would not be possible according to Newtonian projectile motion alone.