How are wooden bows so flexible without breaking while the same type of wood used to make a table (for example) would break if you flexed it that far?

Question

How are wooden bows so flexible without breaking while the same type of wood used to make a table (for example) would break if you flexed it that far?

In: Chemistry

Answer 1

I don’t know if they make tables out of yew, but the geometry makes a difference. A table is a slab designed not to bend, but to hold up a load. A bow is tapered towards the ends so the flex is distributed in a way the wood can support. Many bows are laminated to increase this ability.