Arrow

An arrow is a long, slender projectile launched by a bow. When the bowstring is drawn and released, the energy stored in the bow's limbs transfers to the arrow, which travels through the air and strikes its target. Arrows have been used for hunting and warfare for more than ten thousand years, and today are chiefly known through the sport of archery.

Every arrow has four essential parts: the shaft (the long central rod), the arrowhead (the pointed tip at the front), the fletching (the stabilizing feathers or vanes at the rear), and the nock (the notch or groove where the arrow fits onto the bowstring). The interaction of these components determines how straight the arrow flies when launched.

Parts of the arrow

The shaft was traditionally made from wood, bone, or antler; in modern times, aluminum, carbon fiber, or composite materials are used. The shaft's weight and stiffness must be suited to the bow's draw strength; if too flexible or too rigid, the arrow will veer off course. The arrowhead is made from stone, bone, brass, or iron, and its shape depends on its purpose—broad and flat for hunting, narrow and pointed for piercing armor. The fletching, originally made from bird feathers, creates air resistance that stabilizes the arrow in flight, causing it to fly straight.

How it works

When the bowstring is drawn and released, the bow's limbs store and release energy into the arrow. After the arrow leaves the string, this energy propels it forward. An arrow is not a rigid object; after release it flexes and bends to the sides (a phenomenon known as archer's paradox) before straightening out. For this reason, choosing the correct shaft stiffness for a given bow is crucial to accuracy.

History and use

The bow and arrow were among the most widespread weapons in hunting societies and early armies. Many peoples across Africa, Asia, and Europe developed their own arrow types, including some with blunt tips used for hunting large animals. The rise of firearms reduced their use in warfare, but arrows remain in use for hunting, practice, and competition sports, including Olympic archery.