Physics Specialists- Bolt Question

[Blacksheep]

Alright, this is often debated but has been proven- back-spin adds range to the ball.

But with the Flatline, it is actually being guided in a curve while the Cooper-T bolts just force air on the ball in a different pattern.


Does this actually work or is it hype? In theory it seems to work out in my mind, but like many things, theory don't work in the real world (like France's war strategy...whoever attacks the most wins...theoretcially good but didn't work out)

[The Terminator]

What is the Cooper T bolt? It COULD be possible to force all the air onto the ball at an angle creating backspin, resulting in lift. Is that what it is supposed to do? At any rate, I doubt that it could compare to the flatline, which guarantees the backspin due to the barrel path.

[Creeper]

The imp has a bolt for it, the undertow or something, which is supposed to add range by putting more air on the bottom of the ball. From what I've seen and heard it works OK, adds like 10-20 ft range, but it still keeps the marker pretty accurate and consistant, unlike the Flatline, the spin is much less.

[Creeper]

I'd like to amend what I just said. You can go to http://home.attbi.com/~dyrgcmn/pball/trajectory.html and try it out. The flatline slows down the bottom of the ball, a -90* spin. At like 31k rpms, this will produce the Flatline's flight. Under about 28k rpms, a -90* spin will actually decrease range. A frontspin that actually speeds, instead of slows, the spin on the bottom of the ball, like Cooper T or whatever, the opposite of the flatline. At less rpms, the frontspin will produce longer ranges than a backspin or spinless ball.

[Digital]

The Flatline works well because the ball actually only rides along the top of the barrel. (assuming you use smaller paint like your supposed to). That bolt shoots air at the bottom of the ball, in the hopes it puts the same kind of spin on the ball. Remember I have no personal experience with this bolt, but every bolt like it has been more of a gimmick...

[Creeper]

I don't get what you said about the ball riding along the top of the barrel. The spins are opposite. The flatline causes friction on the bottom of the ball, slowing the spin on the bottom, the bolt increases the spin on the bottom. Two different concepts.

[Digital]

It rides along the top of the barrel. Creating backspin and allowing it to float. Which is why you have to use small paint. http://www.tippmann.com/systems/flatline.asp The spins are not opposite they are, in theory, exactly the same. If the ball was spinning the way you think the flatline creates spin, the ball would drop very quick.

[Blacksheep]

Alright...I'll just stick with the tried-and-true straight barrel...not many people outrange my lob anyway