Energy involved in a disc's flight
When a disc is thrown a lot of different energies are put into play. Here are some explanations of what those are exactly, that can help you understand how you influence your disc.
01
Kinetic Energy
Kinetic energy is the term used to explain the energy that moving objects possesses. When you swing your arm to throw the disc, you transfer some of your kinetic energy to the disc. The greater the kinetic energy you impart on the disc, the faster it will move through the air. This applies not only to the forward motion of the disc, but also to its spinning motion.
02
Rotational Energy
(also known as moment of inertia or angular kinetic energy)
When you throw a disc with a spin, then you are adding rotation energy to it. This is the energy that keeps the disc spinning, which helps it maintain its direction and stability in the air. A disc with a higher rotation energy will be more resistant to changes in its rotation, which can contribute to the gyroscopic effect and aid in maintaining a steady flight. However, it can also lead to increased precision if the disc’s angular velocity is high.
03
Potential Energy
If you throw the disc upward, you are giving it potential energy due to its height above the ground. This energy then transforms into kinetic energy when the disc begins to fall down again. The potential energy you give the disc will determine the maximum height it can achieve during its flight.
04
Energy from Air Resistance
When the disc moves through the air, it experiences a resistance force from the air. Overcoming this resistance requires energy, which is converted into heat and sound and is lost from the system. This energy loss due to air resistance contributes to the disc’s deceleration over time and is one of the factors that eventually bring the disc to a halt.
05
The wind and weather
Of course, when you’re outside playing a game with objects that are supposed to fly through the air, your game is bound to be affected by the weather around you. And it’ll certainly also affect your game, when it comes to wind, it’s important to note if you’re in head or tail wind, so that you can use that information to your advantage.
Furthermore, when it comes to discs, their ability to fly and how well they do just that, is also dependent on what humidity and temperature you’re in, since the disc’s plastic will have different properties if you’re in freezing weather as opposed to warm weather.