Does A Boomerang Always Come Back? Science Fiction

Hi, everybody, and welcome to Science Fiction,

the show which turns scientific fact on its head.

And playfully alters your perception of reality.

Well, BUD-E, what's going on today?

How are you, love?

Today's question is from Arwen in Darwin.

She asks...does a boomerang always come back?

Do you know, this question just won't go away.

It keeps coming back again and again.

There are two types of boomerang - non-returning boomerangs...

Otherwise known as sticks.

..and returning boomerangs, which are designed to come back.

Ooh!

A returning boomerang works a little like helicopter blades.

Helicopter blades are angled so that when they spin,

a difference in air pressure is created, which causes it to rise up.

Up, up, away!

But in the case of the boomerang,

there is a second force at work - you.

-Hugh, who's he?

-I mean YOU, the person throwing it.

Oh. Oh, right, I got you. Yeah. I have you.

When throwing a boomerang, the main force and direction

comes from the thrower.

But the spinning action of the boomerang pushes it to one side

as it travels through the air.

A bit like someone wobbling on a bicycle?

If thrown at the right angle to the wind,

and with the correct wrist action, the boomerang will follow

an elliptical path and return to its origin.

Simple as that.

Ugh!

Ohh.

Well, it does require a lot of practice, professor.

Don't feel so bad.

So now you know, Arwen, as long as all the throwing conditions are met,

a boomerang will always come back.

And that's no science fiction, that's a fact!

Ow!

# Science Fiction. #

Someone pick me up? Eh?

Subtitles by Zoe Short Red Bee Media Ltd