| mass, velocity, etc
Probably the foregoing advice is the most useful, but I am fascinated by the physics of archery and cannot pass by without offering some comments - and like you, i soon confuse myself. But here goes.... basically, on loose, part of the energy stored in the drawn bow is transferred to the arrow. A-level physics says Velocity is proportional to square root of energy divided by mass, so if you halve the mass you get about 1.4 times the velocity (if you follow my clumsy explanation). Unfortunately, drag is proportional to velocity so although the lighter arrows go 1.4 times faster - they also lose speed 1.4 times more quickly. This is if they go dead straight. Of course they don't. They fly at an angle which adds to the drag. They are kept straight by the fletchings generating a turning force around the centre of gravity. The lighter the point, the further back the centre of gravity and the bigger the fletchings needed to straighten the arrrow quickly - but bigger fletchings = more drag! Now add in energy lost by flexing - worst of all where the spine is too weak - as the previous contributor commented, which causes additional form drag as well................ LIke i said - I soon confuse myself! So what does it all mean - well its swings and roundabouts!! But........ a barreled shaft takes the centre of gravity forward reducing the need for point weight and fletching stabilisation. A lighter point means more velocity, smaller fletchings mean less drag. I forgot to mention - drag is proportional to cross section - so thin shafts are good...especially if streamlined by barrelling..... but only if they dont flex too much. Best of all - as the previous contributor said - look at what works. Go and have a shoot with him. I believe the turks, who were keen on flight shooting, used thin stiff barrelled shafts with tiny points and very small fletchings. I don't know if this is any help at all, but i feel better now:-)  |