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Arrow Physics Formulas:
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Arrow speed, kinetic energy, and momentum are fundamental physics concepts that describe an arrow's motion and impact characteristics. Speed is how fast the arrow travels, kinetic energy represents its energy of motion, and momentum describes its quantity of motion.
The calculator uses standard physics formulas:
Where:
Explanation: These equations calculate the energy and momentum of an arrow based on its mass and velocity, which are critical for understanding its performance and impact.
Details: Calculating arrow kinetic energy and momentum is essential for hunters and archers to ensure ethical hunting practices, proper arrow selection, and understanding penetration capabilities.
Tips: Enter arrow speed in feet per second (fps) and arrow mass in kilograms (kg). All values must be positive numbers.
Q1: Why are both kinetic energy and momentum important for arrows?
A: Kinetic energy determines the arrow's ability to do work (penetration), while momentum determines its ability to maintain trajectory and push through resistance.
Q2: What are typical values for arrow speed, KE, and momentum?
A: Typical arrow speeds range from 200-350 fps, kinetic energy from 40-100 joules, and momentum from 0.5-1.2 kg m/s for most hunting setups.
Q3: How does arrow mass affect performance?
A: Heavier arrows have more momentum (better penetration) but less speed, while lighter arrows have more speed but less momentum.
Q4: What's the minimum kinetic energy for ethical hunting?
A: Most experts recommend at least 40-50 joules for small game and 60-70+ joules for larger game, though regulations vary by region.
Q5: How accurate are these calculations?
A: These are theoretical calculations that assume ideal conditions. Real-world factors like wind resistance, bow efficiency, and arrow spine can affect actual performance.