Jump to content
  • entries
    29
  • comments
    6
  • views
    19,109

Atlatl!

username

Entry posted by username

3,074 views

 Share

blog-0355526001388419688.jpgAfter a few blogs studying futuristic weapons I think it's time to look at some ancient, even prehistoric weapons. One of the most interesting of the physics related weapons was the atlatl. The atlatl is believed to have been developed independantly on each of the six inhabited continents. The atlatl is a tool to throw spears further and faster than is possible by hand. With an atlatl a spear can easily be thrown at more than 100 mph and travel well over 100 yards. The atlatl was used in hunting and fightning by tribes around the world.

blogentry-930-0-67851000-1388418307_thum

The atlatl works in two simple ways. The first and more obvious way is that it proides extra arm length and therefore leverage. The second and far more effective part is that the atlatl and the dart that it throws both bend. This allows the user to store spring energy in the atlatl and the dart. This energy is released accelerating the dart. To learn more about how the bending helps the motion try out this link http://www.atlatl.com/mechanics.php.

This video does a good job explaining some of the features of the weapon

 Share

1 Comment

Recommended Comments

FizziksGuy

FizziksGuy 93

Posted

Very interesting.  What sort of modern weapons are based on similar principles?

Guest
Add a comment...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×

Terms of Use

The pages of APlusPhysics.com, Physics in Action podcasts, and other online media at this site are made available as a service to physics students, instructors, and others. Their use is encouraged and is free of charge. Teachers who wish to use materials either in a classroom demonstration format or as part of an interactive activity/lesson are granted permission (and encouraged) to do so. Linking to information on this site is allowed and encouraged, but content from APlusPhysics may not be made available elsewhere on the Internet without the author's written permission.

Copyright Notice

APlusPhysics.com, Silly Beagle Productions and Physics In Action materials are copyright protected and the author restricts their use to online usage through a live internet connection. Any downloading of files to other storage devices (hard drives, web servers, school servers, CDs, etc.) with the exception of Physics In Action podcast episodes is prohibited. The use of images, text and animations in other projects (including non-profit endeavors) is also prohibited. Requests for permission to use such material on other projects may be submitted in writing to info@aplusphysics.com. Licensing of the content of APlusPhysics.com for other uses may be considered in the future.

APlusPhysics Books

APlusPhysics Books

×
×
  • Create New...