Do Boomerangs Actually Come Back? The Physics Behind Boomerangs

Boomerangs are one of the most iconic weapons of the Australian Aborigines and have been used for hunting and warfare for centuries. But do boomerangs really come back when thrown? It turns out that the answer is yes and the physics behind their flight is quite fascinating. Boomerangs are curved, airfoil-shaped objects with wings on both sides that cause them to rotate as they move through the air. The asymmetrical shape of the boomerang creates a difference in air pressure across the wings, causing the boomerang to turn back towards the thrower. This principle of aerodynamic lift, combined with the boomerang’s symmetrical shape and spin, allows it to fly back to the thrower. Understanding the physics behind boomerangs can help explain why they come back and why they don’t always make a perfect return.

Do Boomerangs Actually Come Back?

Yes, boomerangs do come back! Although it may seem like a magical phenomenon, it is actually a result of the aerodynamic principles that cause a boomerang to fly. When thrown correctly, a boomerang will fly in an elliptical shape and return to the thrower.   

Overview Of Boomerang?

• A boomerang is a curved, airfoil-shaped object with wings on both sides that cause it to rotate as it moves through the air. The word “boomerang” comes from the Aboriginal word “boomerang,” which means “to come back.” A boomerang is thrown in a way that causes it to spin rapidly as it travels through the air.

•  The asymmetrical shape of the boomerang creates a difference in air pressure across the wings, causing the boomerang to turn back toward the thrower. The boomerang is designed to return after flying several times around in a circle. There are three general categories of boomerangs: 

• A returning boomerang – A boomerang that returns to the thrower, though not always perfectly. – A non-returning boomerang – A boomerang that does not return after it is thrown. 

• A non-returning flight-improved boomerang – A boomerang that does not return after it is thrown but has an improved flight path.

How Does A Boomerang Fly?

1. A boomerang is an airfoil, meaning it has a curved top and bottom surface. When an airfoil travels through the air, it creates both lift and drag forces. The curved top surface of the boomerang creates a higher pressure above the wing than below it. 

2. This pressure difference causes the top of the wing to bend upwards, creating lift. The curved bottom surface of the boomerang creates a lower pressure above the wing than below it. This pressure difference causes the bottom of the wing to bend downwards, creating drag.

3. The lift and drag forces of a boomerang are not balanced and are not enough to sustain flight. However, when a boomerang is thrown, it rotates rapidly, creating a difference in air pressure across the wings. This difference in pressure causes the boomerang to turn back and travel in a circle toward the thrower.

The Physics Behind Boomerangs

• The spinning motion of the boomerang causes gyroscopic precession, which causes the boomerang to the bank in the direction of rotation. This causes the boomerang to change direction and come back toward the thrower. The air flowing over the top of the boomerang is deflected downwards, creating lift. 

• Air flowing under the bottom of the boomerang is deflected upwards, creating drag. The difference in lift and drag forces creates a net force that is directed toward the thrower. This is called the “gyroscopic effect” and it is the same phenomenon that causes a spinning basketball to fall toward the ground. While the boomerang is in the air, it is moving forward, but it is also spinning. Because the air is moving forward faster than the boomerang is spinning, the air has a lower pressure on the front side of the boomerang than on the backside.

•  This difference in pressure creates a net force that is directed toward the front of the boomerang. There is a difference in pressure across the top and bottom of the airfoil, which causes the airfoil to tilt in the direction of the lower pressure. The difference in pressure on the top and bottom of the airfoil causes the airfoil to the bank in the direction of rotation.

Types Of Boomerangs

1. There are three general categories of boomerangs: – A returning boomerang – A boomerang that returns to the thrower, though not always perfectly. – A non-returning boomerang – A boomerang that does not return after it is thrown.

2. A non-returning flight-improved boomerang – A boomerang that does not return after it is thrown but has an improved flight path. A returning boomerang is designed to travel in a circle, come back to the thrower, and then travel in another circle. This type of boomerang has a curved flight path, a long wingspan, and a large, wide angle of attack. 

3. A non-returning boomerang is designed to travel in a circle but does not come back to the thrower. This type of boomerang has a very long, straight flight path with a large, wide angle of attack. 

4. A non-returning flight-improved boomerang is designed to travel in a circle but does not come back to the thrower. However, it has an improved flight path compared to a standard non-returning boomerang. This type of boomerang has a curved flight path, which is a combination of the returning boomerang and the non-returning boomerang.

Why Don’t All Boomerangs Come Back?

• A boomerang is at its most efficient when it is spinning at a certain speed. If it spins too fast or too slow, it will not return. A boomerang is controlled by the thrower and therefore needs to be consistent in its speed and rotation. When a boomerang is thrown, there are many factors that determine whether or not it will come back. 

• There are three main factors that can affect the flight path of a boomerang: air density, wind speed and direction, and the weight of the boomerang. Air density is the amount of air that is present in a certain volume. The amount of air in the atmosphere is usually the same, but the density can change, especially when the weather changes. 

• When the air is colder, it is denser than when it is warmer. The wind can affect the flight path of a boomerang because it can either hinder or help the boomerang travel in a circle. The weight of the boomerang can also affect the flight path because a heavier boomerang will fall more quickly than a lighter one.

How To Throw A Boomerang? 

1. When throwing a boomerang, you must consider your technique and the design of the boomerang itself. Your technique should be consistent and repeatable so that you can perfect a consistent amount of spin on the boomerang. 

2. The design of the boomerang should allow for a sufficient amount of spin while still moving through the air. The best way to throw a boomerang is to start with the correct grip. When throwing a returning boomerang, you should hold the boomerang-like you would a tennis racket and make sure to spin the boomerang in the same direction as the rotation of your wrist. 

3. When throwing a non-returning boomerang, you can grip it like a cricket or baseball bat. You can also grip it like a golf club, but make sure to spin the boomerang in the opposite direction of your wrist rotation.

Conclusion

Boomerangs are one of the most iconic weapons of the Australian Aborigines and have been used for hunting and warfare for centuries. Boomerangs are curved, airfoil-shaped objects with wings on both sides that cause them to rotate as they move through the air. The asymmetrical shape of the boomerang creates a difference in air pressure across the wings, causing the boomerang to turn back towards the thrower. This principle of aerodynamic lift, combined with the boomerang’s symmetrical shape and spin, allows it to fly back to the thrower.