Javelin Release Angle and Distance

Hard

What release angle sends a javelin the farthest? Three trained athletes each throw a javelin at six different angles ranging from 20 to 45 degrees. A video camera records each throw so the actual release angle can be measured on playback. For all three athletes, the longest throws happen at a 35-degree release angle. Throws above or below that angle cover less distance.

Hypothesis

The hypothesis is that the javelin will travel the furthest when thrown at 45°.

Science Concepts Learned

Projectile Motion

The release angle shapes the curved path a javelin follows through the air, and that path determines how far it travels. Three trained athletes each throw at six different angles ranging from 20 to 45 degrees, with a video camera recording each throw so the actual release angle can be measured on playback. For all three athletes, the longest throws happen at a 35-degree release angle — throws above or below that angle cover less distance. The results show that projectile motion has an optimal launch angle for maximum range, and it sits closer to 35 degrees than the intuitive guess of 45.

Launch Angle

Aim too high or too low and a javelin loses distance. Three trained athletes each throw a javelin at six different angles ranging from 20 to 45 degrees, while a video camera records every throw so the actual release angle can be measured on playback. For all three athletes, the longest throws consistently happen at a 35-degree release angle. Throws above or below that point cover less ground, confirming that a specific launch angle maximizes range — and that the optimal angle is not the steepest one.

Method & Materials

You will need to set up a football field, get 3 javelins, 3 athletes trained in javelin throws, a 100 meter measuring tape, a DVD video-recorder, a DVD disc, a portable DVD player with screen, an assistant, a cameraman, and a protractor. The athletes will attempt 5 throws each at 20°, 25°, 30°, 35°, 40° and 45° angles.

You will need a football field, 3 javelins, 3 athletes, a 100 meter measuring tape, a DVD video-recorder, a DVD disc, a portable DVD player with screen, an assistant, a cameraman, and a protractor.

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Results

The results showed that the distance achieved for each javelin throw peaked at the release angle of 35°. This was true for all 3 athletes. The hypothesis that the javelin will travel the furthest when thrown at 45° was proven to be incorrect.

Why do this project?

This science project is interesting because it tests a very old athletic event that has been around since the 8th century. It also tests the aerodynamics and biomechanical principles involved in javelin throwing.