By: Lauren Pernie & Kent Haskett
10/31/2014
3rd Period Physics
Blueprint/Design of our catapult.
How a Catapult Works:
“Catapult physics is basically the use of stored energy to hurl a projectile the payload, without the use of an explosive.”1 The entire catapulting process depends on the storing of potential energy as tension of ropes or wooden arm or gravitational potential energy2
“Catapult" is the name given to a variety of related siege weapons used to hurl projectiles. Crucial during Medieval times and even earlier, these simple machines make use of stored energy. This process can be described in the language of everyday physics, chiefly in terms of tension, torsion and gravity.”
Gravity is the second force which directs the object toward target while falling based on force one and angle of throw in its falling parabolic curve route.” 3”4
Different Types of Catapults:
Catapults have been used for hundreds of years. They're used today for fun, but they used to be the deadliest war machines on the face of the earth. There are three different types of catapults today and they all work very different.
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The first type of catapult is called a Ballista. The way it works is that two wooden bows are attached a rope, then the rope is attached to a winch then pulled back, bending the arms.
When released, the ballista has a very deadly accuracy.
The second type of catapult is probably the most common catapult is called a Mangonel.
It has a long arm with a shovel/spoon type end on it. Then it has a rope connected to a winch that pulls the arm back to 90 degrees. then, you put the projectile in the shovel, and cut/release the rope then the projectile flies.
The third catapult is called the Trebuchet. It was designed for pure maximum force.
The
Trebuchet consists of a long arm on a fulcrum where a sling is also attached. The short arm was attached to a heavy lead