Why Does Giving This Ball a Bit of Backspin Make it Do This? [VIDEO]

Watch what happens when this basketball is given some backspin as it's dropped 415 feet off Tasmania's Gordon Dam. If you simply drop the ball without spinning it, then it will simply fall almost straight down. But when the man gives the basketball a little back spin... something really cool happens.

It's called the Magnus Effect. Click the video to watch and learn more.