How does this tennis ball thrower for dogs work?

Asked by pallen123 (1519

) April 13th, 2014

I understand why a long augmentative arm extension could help to throw a ball (it’s leverage right?). But why does the flex in the plastic help? It seems that it springs a bit and that somehow helps to launch the ball farther. Why is that? It seems like a stiff extension ought to conserve all the energy from your arm better. Anyone understand the physics here? http://www.slatergartrellsports.com.au/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/w/o/woomera_tennis_ball_throwers.jpg

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3 Answers

No, the elastic properties mean when you throw it forward it will flex back, but keep at the same momentum, and when your swing stops, it puts the extra energy back into the ball.

XOIIO (18328

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