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Arrow Speed and KE Formula:
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The Arrow Speed and Kinetic Energy calculator determines the kinetic energy of an arrow based on its speed and mass. This is important for archers and hunters to understand the effectiveness and impact of their arrows.
The calculator uses the kinetic energy formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates the kinetic energy of an arrow by taking the product of its mass and the square of its velocity, divided by the conversion factor 450240 to convert to foot-pounds.
Details: Kinetic energy is a crucial factor in determining arrow penetration and effectiveness. Higher KE values generally result in better penetration, which is particularly important for hunting applications.
Tips: Enter arrow speed in feet per second (fps) and arrow mass in grains. Both values must be positive numbers for accurate calculation.
Q1: Why is kinetic energy important in archery?
A: Kinetic energy determines how effectively an arrow can penetrate a target, making it crucial for both target shooting and hunting applications.
Q2: What is a good KE value for hunting?
A: Most experts recommend a minimum of 40-50 foot-pounds of kinetic energy for ethical hunting of medium-sized game, with larger game requiring more energy.
Q3: How does arrow weight affect kinetic energy?
A: Heavier arrows typically have more kinetic energy at the same speed, but may travel slower. There's a trade-off between speed and mass in optimizing kinetic energy.
Q4: What's the conversion factor 450240 derived from?
A: This factor converts grains and feet per second to foot-pounds, accounting for the necessary unit conversions (1 grain = 1/7000 pound, 1 foot-pound = 1 lb-ft).
Q5: Can I use this calculator for crossbow bolts?
A: Yes, the same formula applies to crossbow bolts as well as traditional arrows.