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Modern science has brought a deeper understanding of the ancient sport of archery... |
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 Although the bow and arrow have been
around since ancient times, in order to understand what
happens in scientific terms, requires an understanding
that energy is converted from one form to another. In the
case of a bow and arrow, the energy is converted from the
potential energy in the archer's arm to the potential
energy in the bent limbs of the bow when the string is The picture is even more complicated for a compound bow. When the archer pulls back or draws the string of a compound bow, the potential energy in tje archer's arm is transferred through the string to cams or pulleys at either end of the bow. These pulleys, which are a type of simple machine, add mechanical advantage to help bend the limbs of the bow. The limbs store potential energy until the arrow is released. |
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drawn back. When
the string is released, the potential energy in the bow
limbs is transferred back through the string to become
kinetic energy in the arrow as it takes flight.