Mathspig went along to see the movie, ROBIN HOOD, starring Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett. I was interested in the film for several reasons.
Firstly, Cate Blanchett went to the same primary school as Mathspig’s children in Melbourne. Such is our Aussie egalitarian attitude to education we do not single out past students for special attention. No picture of Cate Blanchett appeared at the school during Mathspig’s kids education and none, as far as I know, to date.
Secondly, I’m amused that two Australian stars featured in an American remake of a British classic tale. I was just a bit disappointed that Russell Crowe didn’t say something like ‘No worries, King John, mate!!!!
Another amusing aside was that the re-engineered history in this Ridley Scott tale meant Robin Hood had a great influence on British History. I am only too delighted to discover that Russell Crowe wrote the Magna Carta.
How Far Could Longbow Men shoot their Arrows?
I was very intrigued by how the long bowmen fired their arrows. Robin Hood begins the film as a long bowman called Robin Longstride. The film critic for the New Yorker suggested ‘Longstride’ was not the ideal name for Russell Crowe’s nuggetty Robin. I think Robin Chunky-Guy might be more appropriate.
When I did some research ( Longbow arrow speeds)I found that Russell Crowe’s build was closer to the original longbow men than earlier Robin Hoods such as the tall and rangy Errol Flynn (Shown). It is believed that longbow men of the era could draw -a force (on the bow string) of 150 lb-f (pound force) or 667 N (Newton), which is, at least, twice the draw force of bowmen today who, if they are good, can draw 60 – 80 lb-f or 267 – 356 N.
Longbow men used heavy wooden arrows and not the carbon shafts used by archers today. Arrow speeds are estimated for the longbows to be up to 310 f/s (foot per sec) or 100 m/sec.
In the film I noticed that Robin Hood – especially in one dramatic shot at the end, – aimed his arrow at a high angle in the air. ( See Below)
Mathspig believes you should always find the easiest way to do any calculation. so here is the EASY way. Assuming there is no wind or wobbly arrow movement we can split the arrow velocity into its horizontal and vertical components (Using vectors. If you haven’t done vectors just go along with it.) Then interesting things happen!!!!!!!!
We haven’t allowed for air resistance in the flight of the arrow so it would slow down….. BUT Russell Crowe … I mean ROBIN HOOD was right.AIM HIGH and your arrows go a long, long way!!!!!!! Of course, the straight arrow traveling at 100 m/sec would travel 1000 m in 10 seconds or 1 km!!!!!!
Mathspig finds this amazing.
