| | Olympians look to physics (August 2004) - Physics World - PhysicsWeb |
 | | Although surface friction drag is a relatively small part of the overall drag experienced by the swimmer, it is large enough to add several hundredths of a second to a competitor's time and could therefore make a crucial difference in the race for medals. |
 | | The outfit is made of rough material around areas where the drag is greatest, such as the chest and buttocks, but makes use of a smoother fabric in regions where the water flows more slowly, such as the inner legs. |
 | | For example, two cyclists with the same physical power, identical physique and matching technique travelling at 65 kph could be separated by just a couple of hundredths of a second at the finish line - equivalent to the difference of half a wheel - if the aerodynamic properties of their bikes are different. |
| www.physicsweb.org /article/world/17/8/3 (1106 words) |