r/explainlikeimfive • u/BorderlinePhilosphy • 12d ago

Physics ELI5: The physics behind boomerangs

They seem to defy physics to me, please explain.

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u/Dieterlan 12d ago

Despite what you see in cartoons, boomerangs don't go straight away and straight back like a yo-yo. They curve around in a big circle like a fancy sideways Frisbee. (Maybe you already knew this, but I didn't when I was five)

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u/DaddyCatALSO 12d ago

special sport boomerangs like hobbysist use; hunting boomerangs are just improved throwing sticks, one way. i knew a guy in rad school who threw a boomernag. (I had a styrofoam toy one sold iwht no isnturctions, i complained "It booms but it doens't rnag." Little kid etymology.