The Physics of Boomerangs Essay -- Science Toys Essays

The Physics of Boomerangs The successful flight of a spear thrower looks as though it never should happen. Its to a greater extent or little(prenominal) circular flight path comes from the interaction of two physical phenomena the flowing lift of the arms of the boomerang and the reel boomerangs criminal aid of angular momentum. Briefly put, the airfoil at the boomerangs in front rotating edge provides to a greater extent lift than its rearward rotating edge. This elevates one side of the boomerang. The rotate object maintains angular momentum by turning at a right angle to its axis of rotation. When the spin and the velocity of boomerang atomic number 18 just right, it flies away and returns in an aesthetically satisfying circle.The boomerangs distinctive flight starts with its silklike properties. Boomerangs come in a variety of shapes. The traditional forms ar variations on an L with equally foresightful arms. There are also boomerangs with three or even tetrad ar ms radiating from a center. And there are delta boomerangs.1 Whatever the configuration, any boomerang has airfoils at its extremities. Looking outward from the center of rotation of the boomerang, the leaveover side of the blade is the leading edge of the air foil for right throwers.2As the boomerang spins, the airfoils at its perimeter create lift. Our text, Physics A World View, discusses aerodynamics and Bernoullis principle. It explains the relationship between the velocity of a fluid and the pressure that the fluid exerts. A fluid gains energy when it speeds up as, for example when it goes through a constricting area in a pipe or passes around an airfoil. Since the gravitational potential energy is constant, the pitch is in kinetic energy. Since there is an acceleration of the fluid, the press... ...d San Francisco. McGraw-Hill Company Limited, 1982. 20-21.5http//www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12/plane/bern.html. I also visited several Google sites, boomerang, though I did not work on them for this project. They generally have a bit of (undocumented) history/anthropology, more or lesswhat physics, and throwing instructions. For example http//www.gel-boomerang.com/, and http//www.boomerangs.org/ (pictures of some odd shapes).This is consistent with my experience. Trying to put more spin on the boomerang mainly has the effect of making a throw unnatural and therefore prone to fly into the ground.7When in college, my fille would often suggest going to throw a boomerang as a outgrowth date. Her idea was that she learned a lot astir(predicate) a guy seeing him cope with failing miserably--a certainty the premier time out with a boomerang--at a seemingly simple acrobatic activity. The Physics of Boomerangs Essay -- Science Toys EssaysThe Physics of Boomerangs The successful flight of a boomerang looks as though it never should happen. Its more or less circular flight path comes from the interaction of two physical phenomena the aerod ynamic lift of the arms of the boomerang and the spinning boomerangs maintenance of angular momentum. Briefly put, the airfoil at the boomerangs out front rotating edge provides more lift than its rearward rotating edge. This elevates one side of the boomerang. The spinning object maintains angular momentum by turning at a right angle to its axis of rotation. When the spin and the velocity of boomerang are just right, it flies away and returns in an aesthetically satisfying circle.The boomerangs distinctive flight starts with its aerodynamic properties. Boomerangs come in a variety of shapes. The traditional forms are variations on an L with equally tenacious arms. There are also boomerangs with three or even quartet arms radiating from a center. And there are delta boomerangs.1 Whatever the configuration, each boomerang has airfoils at its extremities. Looking outward from the center of rotation of the boomerang, the left side of the blade is the leading edge of the air foil fo r right-hand(prenominal) throwers.2As the boomerang spins, the airfoils at its perimeter create lift. Our text, Physics A World View, discusses aerodynamics and Bernoullis principle. It explains the relationship between the velocity of a fluid and the pressure that the fluid exerts. A fluid gains energy when it speeds up as, for example when it goes through a constricting area in a pipe or passes around an airfoil. Since the gravitational potential energy is constant, the qualify is in kinetic energy. Since there is an acceleration of the fluid, the press... ...d San Francisco. McGraw-Hill Company Limited, 1982. 20-21.5http//www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12/ woodworking plane/bern.html. I also visited several Google sites, boomerang, though I did not croak on them for this project. They generally have a bit of (undocumented) history/anthropology, some physics, and throwing instructions. For example http//www.gel-boomerang.com/, and http//www.boomerangs.org/ (pictures of some odd shapes ).This is consistent with my experience. Trying to put more spin on the boomerang mainly has the effect of making a throw unnatural and therefore prone to fly into the ground.7When in college, my daughter would often suggest going to throw a boomerang as a first date. Her idea was that she learned a lot active a guy seeing him cope with failing miserably--a certainty the first time out with a boomerang--at a seemingly simple gymnastic activity.