TED-Ed: Football physics: The "impossible" free kick - Erez Garty

The video explores the physics behind Roberto Carlos's legendary 35-meter free kick, focusing on the Magnus effect, which causes the ball to curve due to spin-induced pressure differences. It explains the challenges of executing such a kick with precision and discusses the historical context of the Magnus effect, first documented by Isaac Newton. The video also considers the theoretical limits of a soccer kick, concluding that a ball cannot boomerang back to the kicker due to physical constraints.

What technique did Roberto Carlos use to make the ball curve during his free kick?

Explain the role of air pressure in the Magnus effect as it relates to a spinning ball.

What challenges does a player face when attempting to curve a ball into the goal?

Discuss the historical context of the Magnus effect and its first documentation.

Why is it theoretically impossible to kick a ball in a way that it returns like a boomerang?