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

Disclaimer

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.


Disclaimer: These demonstrations are provided only for illustrative use by persons affiliated with The University of Iowa and only under the direction of a trained instructor or physicist.  The University of Iowa is not responsible for demonstrations performed by those using their own equipment or who choose to use this reference material for their own purpose.  The demonstrations included here are within the public domain and can be found in materials contained in libraries, bookstores, and through electronic sources.  Performing all or any portion of any of these demonstrations, with or without revisions not depicted here entails inherent risks.  These risks include, without limitation, bodily injury (and possibly death), including risks to health that may be temporary or permanent and that may exacerbate a pre-existing medical condition; and property loss or damage.  Anyone performing any part of these demonstrations, even with revisions, knowingly and voluntarily assumes all risks associated with them.