Javelin Throw

This model simulates the throw of a javelin with no spin and no wind in a vertical plane. This is a simplified situaiton to be able to analyze the pure dynamics of a javelin throw. The user can change several initial conditions including velocity, angle of the javelin (θo theta), angle of the velocity vector (φo phi) or angle of attack, and angular velocity (ωo omega). The user can set initial conditions and press play to see how the javelin reacts and behaves in flight. To eliminate certain conditions that produce either negative distances or errors during computation, the range for theta and phi are slightly limited. This is because we are looking for conditions that produce the farthest throws. So short throws are not as interesting in this instance.

The user may also view certain properties of the javelin's flight. The "Force Arrows" checkbox shows the force arrows on the javelin and how the direction and magnitude change as the flight unfolds. The red-tipped arrow is the drag force while the blue-tipped arrow is the lift force.

Data of table is below ths plottingpanel of the simulation that stores helpful values after every javelin flight to compare different initial conditions.

This model gives the user the chance to try and find the optimal conditions for certain initial velocities. Reasonable initial velocities are in the range of 20-30 m/s for novices and Olympic athletes alike. Once the user finds the optimal conditions with 0 deg/s for the initial angular velocity, the user can increase the angular velocity and try to find optimal conditions again to see how they change.

Optimal Javelin Flight

In order to have the perfect throw we first need to know what the perfect throw consists of. Many factors go into how far a javelin will fly, but for the sake of keeping things simple we will cover 4 of the basics:

Release Height

Throw a javelin. Now throw a javelin off the top of a 30 story building with the same amount of force. What happens? The javelin from the building is going to cover more distance(basic physics). Obviously there is not this much difference in competition, but the moral of the story is the higher the release, the better.