Ok, so we are getting the idea that 45 degrees is the BEST angle to fire a projectile if you want to maximize the distance thrown.
But today, we read an article that told us something different. The article said that they have researched how athletes throw best. If an athlete wants to throw something as far as possible, the best angle is NOT 45 degrees. Its something closer to 32 degrees.
REVIEWING WHAT WE LEARNED (Discuss and Post):
What are some reasons that the 45 degree throwing angle isn't always the best choice for human athletes?
Hint: think about the difference between doing a bench press and a shoulder press. Or, think about the ideas of vertical velocity (up and down) versus horizontal velocity (straight across).
Which velocity (horizontal or vertical) did the article say was easier for humans? Why might this be so?
EXTENDING OUR THINKING FURTHER (Discuss and Post):
Based on your understanding of how human athletes throw, do you think this "human angle" idea would apply to discus throwers? Why or why not?
Before answering this question, it helps to understand how throwing a discus is different than throwing any other type of object (a javelin, a soccer ball, etc.). To get an idea of how a discus is thrown, take a look at this video (you may need to cut and paste into a new window):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VR2U2Ho32GU&feature=related
If you have a chance (and quick reflexes), you might even be able to pause the video right at the moment the discus thrower releases the discus. What angle does that look like to you? (remember you can predict the angle by looking at the angle of the thrower's arm in relationship to the horizontal -- feel free to use a protractor!).
So back to the original question. What do you think the best angle is for Discus throwers? Support your ideas with evidence from the article we read, the video, and any other thoughts you might have.
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2 comments:
A person's body doesn't work in a way that makes the 45 degree angle the best. I learned from the article that it is easier to push something forward than it is to push something up. When you throw something at a 45 degree angle, you are pushing it up a little higher than your arms have strength to push.
The reason that 32 degrees works better is because it is still high enough to have enough air, but you're getting to push forward more -- in a way that your body is strongest.
I don't think the angle thing works for discus throwers. What I mean is, I think discus throwers can throw better at 45 degrees than 32 degrees. I don't know if the angle is as important in discus, because i can tell that the thrower is spinning around, gaining momemtum to throw the discus. This increases the velocity of the discus.
The discus thrower isn't really throwing -- he's sort of "flinging" the discus, and using the momentum of his spin to send it forward. Because of this, I think 45 is the best angle for a discus thrower.
Throwing an object at the 45 degree angle isn't always the most effective because it is easier for people to throw forward rather than up. This is because of the way our muscles are positioned. Because of this, the best angle for a person throwing a javelin is at 32 degrees. This allows a person to get as much force as possible from their forward movement power and it is elevated enough that the javelin isn't too close to the ground.
For the discus, it seems the best angle for throwing is at 45 degrees. I watched the discus throwing videos and paused it at the moment of throwing. It looked like the ange was 45 degrees. I think they do this because the spinning force must add power to the vertical part of the throw, and this will compensate for the natural lesser amount of vertical power. In other words, the centrifugal force allows the discus thrower to use the 45 degree angle to reach the longest distance from the throw.
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