Archery Tackle : Page 84

Figure 21. Explaining the "Archer's Paradox"

A-Bowstring, B—Arrow, C—Cross section of bow at handle, D—Target.

pursue an undisturbed course. He cited tests which were, ina way, somewhat convincing.

It took the high speed camera to settle the question. Dr.Hickman took some slow motion pictures set up to 4000frames per second. This recorded every movement of release,string, arrow, and bow which revealed some surprising re-sults. It showed that the arrow actually snaked itself aroundthe bow then followed the path in which it was started.

We will try to explain how this happens. Refer to Fig. 21,sec. I. This pictures the arrow at full draw and pointing di-rectly down the line of sight. Fig. 21-II we see the arrowjust after the release with the weight of the string on one endand the resistance of the bow handle on the other end whichbends the arrow slightly to the right. You will further notethat point A (bow string) is slightly to the right of the lineof sight. In section III of Fig. 21, the string has descended to apoint about midway its course. The resistance (point C) is nolonger at the end of the arrow; it has moved back to near itscenter; the string (A) is noticeably to the right of the line ofsight. These changes of positions have widened the angle andhave caused the arrow to bend to the left. Looking at sectionIV, Fig. 21, we note the string has come to rest and the arrowhas parted contact with it. The arrow is relieved of the string'spressure. The arrow, which was smartly bent to the left justbefore it left contact with the string, now violently reacts torecovery, vibrating so that it is again bent to the right. Insection V, Fig. 21, the arrow has just cleared the bow and thespine of the arrow is starting a second recovery toward steadi-ness. In section VI the recovery has again passed over thestraight axis of the arrow and shows a slight curve to the left.In section VII the arrow has made full recovery and is speed-ing directly down the line of sight. Dr. Elmer's theory mayhave added something toward solving the problem; the pic-tures, however, did not record it.