Breadcrumb
1M40.43 - Work of a Bow or Crossbow
![]() |
![]()
|
![]() |
![]() |

Code Number: 1M40.43
Demo Title: Work of a Bow or Crossbow
Condition: Excellent
Principle: Force vs. Distance
Area of Study: Mechanics
Equipment:
Bow, Kg. Scale, Blunted Arrow (Wooden Dowel with Cylinder on the End).
Procedure:
Set the bow up so that the arrow is pressing on the scale. At zero deflection the scale should read zero. The arrow has marks every 10 cm. You should get a linear graph showing increasing force with increasing deflection of the bow.
References:
- Tom Southworth, "Potential Energy Analysis of a Bow", TPT, Vol. 28, #1, Jan. 1990, p. 42.
- W. C. Marlow, "Bow and Arrow Dynamics", AJP, Vol. 49, #4, Apr. 1981, p. 320.
- S. P. Stoylov, J. C. Nsanzabera, P. C. Karenzi, "A Demonstration of Momentum Conservation Using Bow, Arrow, and Ballistic Pendulum", AJP, Vol. 40, #3, March 1972, p. 430.
- Burton G. Schuster, "Ballistics of the Modern-Working Recurve Bow and Arrow", AJP, Vol. 37, #4, Apr. 1969, p. 364.
- Borislaw Bilash II, David Maiullo, "Bowing Work", A Demo A Day A Year of Physics Demonstrations, p. 81.