I pondered this while i was buttering my toast (classic scientific cliche, making questions and answers while eating breakfast) and thought that the tension against the arming mechanism and the bolt in a crossbow would eventually expand the elastic so much that tension would be lost due to the expansion of the elastic. This effect would only maginfy in higher temperatures. Please post your thoughts, because I still have a few blanks to fill.
2006-06-16 06:19:38 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
It depends on the material of the bow, and how far it has been stretched. Every material has a stress/strain curve that determines (1) how much the material bends under a given load; and (2) how much load is needed to cause permanent deformation. If the bow and the force on it are well below the limit of deformation, the bow will keep its energy permanently until disturbed.
If the bow is at its deformation point, it will bend permanently and the kinetic energy will be lost in changing the shape of the bow. For a well designed bow, this should never happen even at the maximum strain point.
2006-06-16 06:26:59 · answer #1 · answered by Keith P 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
im pretty sure it would the stress on the elastics will not be able to withstand the constant pressure if left that way for a long period would even cause the string to fail and break. The material that make up the cross bow arms would be effected aswell. Especially if its a wood structure... wood will fail faster than a metal or plastic based product
2006-06-16 13:25:20 · answer #2 · answered by Grin Reeper 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, materials do loose elasticity through tension, and yes, it is proportional to temperature. Think of a spring, pull it long enough and it will not return to it's coiled shape. And if you heat it the effect is more so.
Degree depends on the material as there are some that keep elasticity quite well.
2006-06-16 13:24:48 · answer #3 · answered by TheHza 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Any material that is under load will experience stress. If the material reaches and/or exceeds its modulus of elasticity, since this material will be subject to tensile stress, then yes it will weaken.
2006-06-16 13:26:42 · answer #4 · answered by Rob B 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with most of the answers,that,yes,it would lose tension & be weaker.I hope there are no children around if you decide to do that.Don't you think that would be as dangerous as a loaded gun?
2006-06-16 13:38:15 · answer #5 · answered by lunatic_no9 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In time the string will stretch if under constant strain, yes.
2006-06-16 13:24:31 · answer #6 · answered by amosdiegel2 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes it could cause it to fail or misfire if left ******. i have owned a few and this happened to mine when i left them ****** and stored away.
2006-06-16 13:47:55 · answer #7 · answered by andy3191 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋