Would a javelin fly further in a vacuum?

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My current WIP involves an athletics competition on a non-terraformed moon, namely the Earth's moon. And while it would be a bit difficult to play certain sports without a breathable atmosphere, the javelin throw strikes me as an event that would be better enjoyed in the moon's 'fresh air' – or rather, lack of it. So, other than the additional challenge of wearing a space suit (and trying to make the damn thing land point first), I would expect an outdoor javelin throw on the moon, after accounting for other variables.



The only thing is: would it? I don't know if the air on Earth has the effect of reducing the length of a javelin throw through obvious frictional effects (as it would with a thrown stone or shot put) or increasing it by giving it something to glide on (as it would with a paper plane).



My hunch is that a realistic world record, after factoring in the other variables like restricted movement from wearing a space suit, would be somewhere in the 400-500 metre range for men, 300-400 metres for women, and 350-450 for eligible non-binary folks. (For comparison, the world records back on Earth currently stand at 98.48 and 72.28 metres for men and women respectively.) Are my guesses realistic?










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    My current WIP involves an athletics competition on a non-terraformed moon, namely the Earth's moon. And while it would be a bit difficult to play certain sports without a breathable atmosphere, the javelin throw strikes me as an event that would be better enjoyed in the moon's 'fresh air' – or rather, lack of it. So, other than the additional challenge of wearing a space suit (and trying to make the damn thing land point first), I would expect an outdoor javelin throw on the moon, after accounting for other variables.



    The only thing is: would it? I don't know if the air on Earth has the effect of reducing the length of a javelin throw through obvious frictional effects (as it would with a thrown stone or shot put) or increasing it by giving it something to glide on (as it would with a paper plane).



    My hunch is that a realistic world record, after factoring in the other variables like restricted movement from wearing a space suit, would be somewhere in the 400-500 metre range for men, 300-400 metres for women, and 350-450 for eligible non-binary folks. (For comparison, the world records back on Earth currently stand at 98.48 and 72.28 metres for men and women respectively.) Are my guesses realistic?










    share|improve this question























      up vote
      3
      down vote

      favorite









      up vote
      3
      down vote

      favorite











      My current WIP involves an athletics competition on a non-terraformed moon, namely the Earth's moon. And while it would be a bit difficult to play certain sports without a breathable atmosphere, the javelin throw strikes me as an event that would be better enjoyed in the moon's 'fresh air' – or rather, lack of it. So, other than the additional challenge of wearing a space suit (and trying to make the damn thing land point first), I would expect an outdoor javelin throw on the moon, after accounting for other variables.



      The only thing is: would it? I don't know if the air on Earth has the effect of reducing the length of a javelin throw through obvious frictional effects (as it would with a thrown stone or shot put) or increasing it by giving it something to glide on (as it would with a paper plane).



      My hunch is that a realistic world record, after factoring in the other variables like restricted movement from wearing a space suit, would be somewhere in the 400-500 metre range for men, 300-400 metres for women, and 350-450 for eligible non-binary folks. (For comparison, the world records back on Earth currently stand at 98.48 and 72.28 metres for men and women respectively.) Are my guesses realistic?










      share|improve this question













      My current WIP involves an athletics competition on a non-terraformed moon, namely the Earth's moon. And while it would be a bit difficult to play certain sports without a breathable atmosphere, the javelin throw strikes me as an event that would be better enjoyed in the moon's 'fresh air' – or rather, lack of it. So, other than the additional challenge of wearing a space suit (and trying to make the damn thing land point first), I would expect an outdoor javelin throw on the moon, after accounting for other variables.



      The only thing is: would it? I don't know if the air on Earth has the effect of reducing the length of a javelin throw through obvious frictional effects (as it would with a thrown stone or shot put) or increasing it by giving it something to glide on (as it would with a paper plane).



      My hunch is that a realistic world record, after factoring in the other variables like restricted movement from wearing a space suit, would be somewhere in the 400-500 metre range for men, 300-400 metres for women, and 350-450 for eligible non-binary folks. (For comparison, the world records back on Earth currently stand at 98.48 and 72.28 metres for men and women respectively.) Are my guesses realistic?







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          With no air resistance and less gravity, check the astronauts playing golf. The ball reached an outstanding distance.



          Also, since the shape won't matter due to no aerodynamic profile to speak of. Could throw a stone, ball, cube. All that matters would be mass.






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          • I was thinking the same thing about the shape of the object that is thrown. Another fun fact: if a javelin were thrown with the tip pointing up at 45 degrees, then it would land with the tip still pointing up at a 45 degrees. The shaft is going only going to rotate at all if it's initially given a rotation. There's no wind resistance to cause the shaft to rotate 90 degrees, from tip-up to tip-down.
            – BrettFromLA
            32 mins ago

















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          From basic physics and the initial throwing speed of the javelin (33m/s for the best throwers) on earth I calculated that the furthest you can throw a javelin is 672m without friction and the much lower gravity of Earth's moon. Then it depends on how restricted movements are and how would athletes adapt to the 45° angle for the throw. The distance is proportional to the initial speed, so if the initial speed is 25m/s the distance will be 509m. It's also proportional to the reciprocal of your moon's gravity.






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            2 Answers
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            up vote
            4
            down vote













            With no air resistance and less gravity, check the astronauts playing golf. The ball reached an outstanding distance.



            Also, since the shape won't matter due to no aerodynamic profile to speak of. Could throw a stone, ball, cube. All that matters would be mass.






            share|improve this answer






















            • I was thinking the same thing about the shape of the object that is thrown. Another fun fact: if a javelin were thrown with the tip pointing up at 45 degrees, then it would land with the tip still pointing up at a 45 degrees. The shaft is going only going to rotate at all if it's initially given a rotation. There's no wind resistance to cause the shaft to rotate 90 degrees, from tip-up to tip-down.
              – BrettFromLA
              32 mins ago














            up vote
            4
            down vote













            With no air resistance and less gravity, check the astronauts playing golf. The ball reached an outstanding distance.



            Also, since the shape won't matter due to no aerodynamic profile to speak of. Could throw a stone, ball, cube. All that matters would be mass.






            share|improve this answer






















            • I was thinking the same thing about the shape of the object that is thrown. Another fun fact: if a javelin were thrown with the tip pointing up at 45 degrees, then it would land with the tip still pointing up at a 45 degrees. The shaft is going only going to rotate at all if it's initially given a rotation. There's no wind resistance to cause the shaft to rotate 90 degrees, from tip-up to tip-down.
              – BrettFromLA
              32 mins ago












            up vote
            4
            down vote










            up vote
            4
            down vote









            With no air resistance and less gravity, check the astronauts playing golf. The ball reached an outstanding distance.



            Also, since the shape won't matter due to no aerodynamic profile to speak of. Could throw a stone, ball, cube. All that matters would be mass.






            share|improve this answer














            With no air resistance and less gravity, check the astronauts playing golf. The ball reached an outstanding distance.



            Also, since the shape won't matter due to no aerodynamic profile to speak of. Could throw a stone, ball, cube. All that matters would be mass.







            share|improve this answer














            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer








            edited 35 mins ago









            BrettFromLA

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            3,3611118










            answered 54 mins ago









            Gustavo Almeida

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            1,081111











            • I was thinking the same thing about the shape of the object that is thrown. Another fun fact: if a javelin were thrown with the tip pointing up at 45 degrees, then it would land with the tip still pointing up at a 45 degrees. The shaft is going only going to rotate at all if it's initially given a rotation. There's no wind resistance to cause the shaft to rotate 90 degrees, from tip-up to tip-down.
              – BrettFromLA
              32 mins ago
















            • I was thinking the same thing about the shape of the object that is thrown. Another fun fact: if a javelin were thrown with the tip pointing up at 45 degrees, then it would land with the tip still pointing up at a 45 degrees. The shaft is going only going to rotate at all if it's initially given a rotation. There's no wind resistance to cause the shaft to rotate 90 degrees, from tip-up to tip-down.
              – BrettFromLA
              32 mins ago















            I was thinking the same thing about the shape of the object that is thrown. Another fun fact: if a javelin were thrown with the tip pointing up at 45 degrees, then it would land with the tip still pointing up at a 45 degrees. The shaft is going only going to rotate at all if it's initially given a rotation. There's no wind resistance to cause the shaft to rotate 90 degrees, from tip-up to tip-down.
            – BrettFromLA
            32 mins ago




            I was thinking the same thing about the shape of the object that is thrown. Another fun fact: if a javelin were thrown with the tip pointing up at 45 degrees, then it would land with the tip still pointing up at a 45 degrees. The shaft is going only going to rotate at all if it's initially given a rotation. There's no wind resistance to cause the shaft to rotate 90 degrees, from tip-up to tip-down.
            – BrettFromLA
            32 mins ago










            up vote
            2
            down vote













            From basic physics and the initial throwing speed of the javelin (33m/s for the best throwers) on earth I calculated that the furthest you can throw a javelin is 672m without friction and the much lower gravity of Earth's moon. Then it depends on how restricted movements are and how would athletes adapt to the 45° angle for the throw. The distance is proportional to the initial speed, so if the initial speed is 25m/s the distance will be 509m. It's also proportional to the reciprocal of your moon's gravity.






            share|improve this answer
























              up vote
              2
              down vote













              From basic physics and the initial throwing speed of the javelin (33m/s for the best throwers) on earth I calculated that the furthest you can throw a javelin is 672m without friction and the much lower gravity of Earth's moon. Then it depends on how restricted movements are and how would athletes adapt to the 45° angle for the throw. The distance is proportional to the initial speed, so if the initial speed is 25m/s the distance will be 509m. It's also proportional to the reciprocal of your moon's gravity.






              share|improve this answer






















                up vote
                2
                down vote










                up vote
                2
                down vote









                From basic physics and the initial throwing speed of the javelin (33m/s for the best throwers) on earth I calculated that the furthest you can throw a javelin is 672m without friction and the much lower gravity of Earth's moon. Then it depends on how restricted movements are and how would athletes adapt to the 45° angle for the throw. The distance is proportional to the initial speed, so if the initial speed is 25m/s the distance will be 509m. It's also proportional to the reciprocal of your moon's gravity.






                share|improve this answer












                From basic physics and the initial throwing speed of the javelin (33m/s for the best throwers) on earth I calculated that the furthest you can throw a javelin is 672m without friction and the much lower gravity of Earth's moon. Then it depends on how restricted movements are and how would athletes adapt to the 45° angle for the throw. The distance is proportional to the initial speed, so if the initial speed is 25m/s the distance will be 509m. It's also proportional to the reciprocal of your moon's gravity.







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                answered 47 mins ago









                Jean-Abdel

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