Scientists test World Cup ball

Aerospace engineers at the California Institute of Technology normally test cars and telescopes for aerodynamic differences in their high-tech wind tunnel. This week, however, they had a different test object: the Jabulani.

Recent controversy surrounding the World Cup's new ball enthused scientists at Caltech to test differences between the traditional ball and the new Jabulani.

Assistant professor of aeronautics Beverly McKeon said it was difficult to tell which ball is better, but she said the Jabulani's smoothness could create for less drag in the ball's behaviour.

The testing exposed the new ball to wind speeds of about ten metres per second. A smoke machine was used in order to visually see what happens to air movement around the ball.

In response to the testing, Adidas reminded soccer fans that the new ball "meets or exceeds all Fifa Approved Standards, and tests from the University of Loughborough scientifically prove its unprecedented stable flight and laser-like precision".