Book 23, Question 93 · Video
How Does a Boomerang Come Back?
Throw a boomerang and it comes back! That seems like magic. But it is physics. Boomerangs come in many shapes, and not all of them come back.
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What Crafty Clover says in this video
Intro
Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. How does a boomerang come back?
The Big Idea
Throw a boomerang and it comes back! That seems like magic. But it is physics.
Two Wings
Step one: two wings. A boomerang is made of two wings joined together at an angle. When you throw it upright with a spin, each wing makes lift.
A Tilting Top
Step two: a tilting top. The top wing moves faster through the air than the bottom one, so it makes more lift. That tilts the spinning boomerang, like a tilting top.
A Big Circle
Step three: a big circle. This makes it curve in a big circle and return to you. Use soft foam boomerangs in an open field.
A Closer Look
Let's take a closer look! The boomerang spins. Each wing makes lift. The top moves faster. It curves in a circle.
Quick Facts
Quick facts! Boomerangs come in many shapes, and not all of them come back. Soft foam ones are safest for kids. Use them in an open field. Keep people and windows out of the way.
Think Like a Scientist
Now, think like a scientist! With a grown-up, make a paper boomerang from stiff cardstock with three arms. Flick it gently in an open space. Keep it away from faces. See if it curves back. Share your results with someone you love.
Outro
A boomerang comes back because its spinning wings make more lift on one side, which curves its path in a circle. Science is amazing! Keep asking questions! Share what you learned with someone at home, and see what they think! Thank you for exploring with me, and remember that every great scientist started with a question. Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!