GRADES 9-12
AERODYNAMICS OF A BOOMERANG

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The Basic Aerodynamic Forces On A Boomerang (Why It Turns) The boomerang consists of a leading wing and a trailing wing connected at the elbow. Each wing has the typical cross section of an airfoil. Therefore, each wing has a leading and trailing edge arranged such that the leading edge strikes the air first as the boomerang rotates. Because of this geometry, there are right-handed and left-handed boomerangs. A left-handed boomerang is simply a mirror image of the right-handed boomerang. The typical angle between the wings is 105 degrees to 110 degrees. Left And Right-Handed Boomerang With Permission and Courtesy Of Cislunar Aerospace, Inc. As the boomerang flies through the air, each wing produces lift. It is thrown with a spin like a discus or Frisbee. The spin results in the curved flight of the boomerang. The turning force imposed on the boomerang comes from the unequal air speed of the spinning wings. If we start with a stationary, spinning boomerang, both wings would produce the same amount of lift. Now give that same spinning boomerang a forward velocity and the speed of the air traveling over the wings differs. Thus, the forward moving wing experiences more lift than the retreating wing. The net result is a force which turns the boomerang. The duration of flight is determined by the force with which it was thrown as well as the spin applied at launch. As with any flying or gliding object, a boomerang is subject to drag and its own weight. The drag slows the boomerang down, thereby limiting the flight time. However, given enough spin and initial velocity, the boomerang might circle above the throwerUs head a few times before landing.