Video: Skimming Like A Stone

Science in action that just looks cool!

With enough momentum, even something as big and heavy as a SxS can skip across the water’s surface like a stone.

The physics behind this? Lift – the same force that keeps planes in the sky. In this case lift comes in the form of the reactive force of the water, which pushes against the machine. If the lift force is greater than the force of gravity, the SxS keeps on trucking; otherwise it sinks. High horizontal speed increases the reactive lift force of the water.

Not to worry, you won’t be tested on this scientific lesson. When executed perfectly like above, though, it’s certainly awesome to see.