Ballistics of the Modern-Working Recurve Bow and Arrow

A model of the working recurve bow amenable to analytic solution is developed. The equations of motion of the bow and arrow system are obtained and numerically integrated by computer. It is shown that subject to the approximations, the system is 100% efficient. Variations of the transfer of energy between bow and arrow are discussed in terms of bow parameters and the effects on the archer. A discussion of first-order exterior ballistics and arrow penetration indicates the equipment characteristics most desirable for both the target archer and hunter, subject to the archer's own capabilities.