Name:__________________________________________ Date:__________

Catapult Final Project

ALL parts of Physics we covered can be applied to a catapult! Include a

theory section in your introduction and make sure that you explain how the
concepts apply to the way that your catapult works. This is a guide to help
you design, organize, and write. This section is worth 50 points!
In order to complete your final, you will design, test and build a catapult that
will accurately and consistently hit a target!
Design: You will need to do quite a bit of research. The requirements for the
catapult are as follows:
1. Must fit into a 2 m by 2 m by 2 m cubic space
2. Any materials could be used except for machinery
3. Keep cost of materials as low as possible
4. Needs to be able to launch a watermelon 20 m into the center of a
target
Now that you know the constraints to your design, please go forward by
researching different designs that you could utilize. In the end, you need to
have an initial, tested and final drawing of your catapult (to document the
design process as you have the chance to test your ideas).
Materials: You need to tell me! I have a lot of things around already, but I am
more than happy to run out and get you more (within reason).
Theory:
1. Projectile Motion:
a. Please define it!
b. Please draw the FBD for the melon.
2. Describe Newtons Laws:
a. How does Newtons first law of motion apply to the catapult?
b. How does Newtons second law apply to the catapult?
c. How does Newtons third law apply to the performance of the
catapult?
3. Force Calculations:
a. Write out the force equation.
b. What parts need to be measure in order to perform this
calculation?
4. Describe how energy will transform in the catapult in order to launch
the watermelon.
a. Include a drawing to show how potential and kinetic will
transform over the course of the launch.
5. Energy Calculations:
a. Write out the work equation.
b. Write out the kinetic energy equation.
c. Write out the potential energy equation.
d. What parts need to be measured in order to perform these
calculations?
Prototyping:

1. Please use the models as prototypes to determine how to design your

final, large catapult.
2. Test your prototypes!! Make sure you collect data that will help inform
you of the performance and how it can be compared to the other
prototypes in the class.
3. Your prototype group needs to present to the rest of the class in order
to determine which parts of each prototype should be used in the final
catapult.
4. PLEASE CREATE AND PRESENT ME WITH YOUR FINAL LIST OF
MATERIALS! It is important that we can find all of the things that you
are going to need.
5. Write up:
a. Please write about your process each night in order to document
how your design changes.
b. Include data that shows your prototype performance.
c. Summarize the overall prototype performances to show why you
are making the decisions for your final design.
Design:
Your design is due next please make a decision based on the prototyping in
order to move forward. It is important that you start with something concrete
so you know where to move next.
a. Drawings!! Of all of your moving parts! Make sure you have dimensions
and materials so we can figure out if it is going to be possible.
b. Any extra explanations that are necessary to make the design CLEAR
to anyone using this as a model the next time.
Procedure:
Please write EVERY NIGHT in order to document your process. It will be a lot
easier to keep this up each night rather than try to remember at the end
This should ALSO include the modifications that you make as we figure out
how we are building. I am going to be giving you homework credit every day
based on this part of your writing.
Data:
Please collect data for BOTH:
a. Prototyping AND
b. The FINAL launch!

Calculations:
Please determine the following to get a good estimate on how much force
you are going to need to create in order to launch:

1. Calculate the force you need to launch a melon (5 kg).

2. Calculate the force created by the device you are using to create the
tension (a counter weight, an elastic force, etc.). You may need to be
creative to measure/calculate this force
3. Calculate how much force you will have available to launch the
watermelon.
4. Calculate the acceleration of the watermelon.
5. Will it be able to travel the 20 m minimum distance?
Analysis:
Please make sure you SHOW ALL OF THESE calculations, including the
equations that you used. If you need a little hint, check out the video in the
reflection section here: http://aplusphysics.com/projects/catapult.html
1. Calculate the horizontal velocity of the projectile (non-accelerated).
2. Explain, using laws of physics, what it means to have a nonaccelerated velocity.
3. Calculate the vertical velocity of the projectile (accelerated).
4. Explain, using laws of physics, what it means to have an acceleration.
What causes this acceleration for projectiles?
5. Calculate the launch angle of the projectile.
6. Use the horizontal velocity to calculate the kinetic energy of the
projectile.
7. Use the force the catapult has to calculate the work it did.
8. Compare the work to the kinetic energy. Are they the same or
different? Explain why using the physics you know!
9. Explain the energy transformations that the catapult uses. Remember
to include any energy that is lost in the process.
10.
Explain your design. What worked? What did you have to change
and why?
11.
What was the most challenging part of the project? Why?
12.
What was the best part of the project? Why?
13.
What would you like to change if you had the opportunity to do
this again or go back and continue to work on the design?
Conclusion:
Please write a conclusion that includes:
1. What you thought you were going to do.
2. What you ended up doing and why.
3. What you learned
4. Advice for a 9th grader entering Engineering and Physics with me next
year

May 2016

Monday
16

Tuesday
17

Wednesday
18

Math
MCAS!

Math
MCAS!

Thursday
19
Review
Energy
Exam and
intro to
FINAL
PROJECT!
Energy MCAS
Review

23

24

25

26

Continue
prototyping!

Test
prototypes!

Present
findings to
class!

Start FINAL
design!

Heat MCAS Review

Electricity MCAS
Review

Motion and forces

MCAS Review

Electromagnetic
Spectrum Review

Friday
20
Start
prototyping!
!
Waves MCAS
Review

27
END TERM
4!
Finish FINAL
design
lists!
Practice MCAS
exam!

30

31

NO SCHOOL!
Happy
Memorial
Day!

WRITING
DAY!
Review MCAS data
and get ready!

June 2016
Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday
1
PHYSICS
MCAS!
Writing day!

Thursday

Friday

2
PHYSICS
MCAS!
Finish
writing!!

3
BUILD

10

BUILD!

BUILD!

BUILD!

LAST DAY TO
BUILD!

LAUNCH!!!

13

14

15

16

17

Analyze data

EXAMS

EXAMS

EXAMS

Last day to
turn in final!