Does circular swinging increase the distance of a throw?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the mechanics of throwing an object after swinging it in a circular motion, exploring how this technique may affect the distance of the throw. Participants examine the relationship between rotational energy, tangential velocity, and kinetic energy in the context of throwing techniques, particularly in sports like the hammer throw.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that swinging an object circularly increases its initial velocity at the moment of release, which is crucial for achieving greater distance.
  • Others argue that the rotational energy gained during the swing translates into kinetic energy, thereby enhancing the throw's distance.
  • A participant notes that the distance traveled is influenced by the work done on the object over a longer path due to the circular motion, as opposed to a simple arm throw.
  • There is a discussion about the role of rotational energy, with one participant suggesting that it does not directly increase throw distance unless factors like backspin are involved, which could create aerodynamic lift.
  • Another participant raises a question about the clarity of the definitions used regarding rotational energy, distinguishing between the rotational energy related to the circular path and that of the object itself.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the role of rotational energy in increasing throw distance, with some emphasizing its importance while others suggest it may not have a direct effect. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the precise contributions of rotational versus linear kinetic energy.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding the assumptions made about energy transfer and the definitions of rotational energy, which are not fully clarified. The relationship between different forms of energy and their impact on throwing distance is also not conclusively established.

null void
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It is like the throws in hammer throw, when an object is swung circularly, the it does contains an rotational energy right? when it is release, how the energy affect the objects? Does the energy change to velocity tangent to the circular path it swung?
 
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The point in swinging is to increase the initial velocity of the object at the moment of release. That velocity is equal to the instantenous tangential velocity in circular motion. Swinging around allows the thrower more time to accelerate the object.
Initial velocity, of course, translates into increased distance travelled, as per the equations of motion.

If you'd rather think of it in terms of energy, then swinging around means that there is virtually an unlimited path(a closed circle) on which a relatively low force supplied by the thrower can perform work on the system(thrower+object) to increase its rotational energy.
At the moment of release, the rotational energy is transferred to the two components of the system(thrower+object) as kinetic energy. Higher kinetic energy means higher initial velocity, which, again, means farther throw.
Compare with throwing just by using one's arm's length - it would require much higher force to impart the object with the same amount of energy, as the distance over which the work can be performed is very limited.
 
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Understood, thanks
 
Bandersnatch said:
If you'd rather think of it in terms of energy, then swinging around means that there is virtually an unlimited path(a closed circle) on which a relatively low force supplied by the thrower can perform work on the system(thrower+object) to increase its rotational energy.
The purpose of this process is to increase the objects linear kinetic energy (speed^2). Energy = force x distance, and the distance in this case is a unlimited path.

The rotational energy won't increase the distance of a throw directly, other than if there's backspin, you could get some amount of aerodynamic lift (magnus effect).
 
Isn't that what I said in the next sentence?
 
rcgldr said:
The purpose of this process is to increase the objects linear kinetic energy (speed^2). Energy = force x distance, and the distance in this case is a unlimited path.

Bandersnatch said:
Isn't that what I said in the next sentence?
It wasn't clear if you meant the rotational energy with respect to the center of the circular path of the object (KE = 1/2 m R^2 ω^2, where R = radius of circular path), or the rotational energy of the object itself (KE = 1/5 m r^2 ω^2, where r = radius of object).
 

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