CATAPULT

Cell 2 IV-Corinthians Positrons

Jaelann Bernadine T. Brosas
Mikhael Buales
Ralph Phillip R. Canillas
Reeno James M. Vivo

OBJECTIVES
To construct a catapult that can accurately launch a projectile and hit a designated
target.
To describe how force affects the motion of a projectile.
To find the optimum angle for launching a projectile the farthest distance.
To test the durability of the devised catapult.
To learn the important math and science concepts behind it.
MATERIALS
9 Popsicle sticks
5 Rubber bands
A marshmallow/coin/any safe projectile
PROCEDURES






















Step 1: Prepare all needed materials.


























































Step 2: Stack four Popsicle sticks. Using a rubber band at each end, squeeze the bundle tightly
together.


Step 3: Place the remaining two Popsicle sticks together. Bundle only one end
together using an additional rubber band.



Step 4: Pry the unbundled end open enough to be able to slide the set of four sticks in between
perpendicularly to form a cross. Slide the bundle of four sticks down as closely as you can get it to
the rubber band thats holding the two as you can get it to the rubber band thats holding the two
sticks together.
























































Step 5: Finish your catapult by securing the body to the wings (diagonally at the point where the
Popsicle sticks intersect) by crisscrossing a rubber band from the back of the right wing to the
front of the left several times. Repeat with the final rubber band.


Step 6: Place your projectile at the end of the Popsicle stick that is highest in the air. Hold the
set of four sticks with one hand, and push down on the angled stick




Step 7: Release your projectile!


PHYSICS BEHIND
The physics behind is basically the use of stored energy to hurl a projectile (the
payload), without the use of an explosive. The three primary energy storage mechanisms
are tension, torsion, and gravity. A lever is a simple machine that uses a beam attached to
a pivoting hinge, or fulcrum, to amplify the amount of force applied to one end. The lever
provides mechanical advantage, or leverage, to make it easier to perform work on the
other end. Newtons second law of motion applies to the devised catapult because force is
applied to pull back the catapult, causing motion.

Catapults were used in warfare for centuries, and are a great example of the power
of a lever in action. By affixing a Popsicle stick at a right angle (T-shape) to another, you
are effectively using the bottom one as the fulcrum for the top. By adding force to change
the shape of the bow or Popsicle stick from its original resting position, you add stored
(potential) energy to the wood. By stacking the popsicle sticks to increase the height of
the fulcrum, then moving the end of the lever higher in the air (longer lever), you allow
for more distance for the lever to build more potential energy as you pull it down. When
you release your catapult, youre quickly transferring that stored potential energy into
kinetic energy that sends your projectile flying.

RELEVANCE TO TECHNOLOGY
The catapult was invented by the Greek Dionysius of Syracuse who was looking to
develop a new type of weapon. It has been used in warfare for millennia. The very sound
of Greek and used in warfare for millennia may already give you the thought of its
eminence. It is certainly eminent unless of course the great warriors of ancient times were
too dumb that they actually chose to use the feeblest weapons. But they werent. We all
know that most corps who used catapults successfully broke their foes city walls and
eventually thwart their enemys defenses and dominates that area. For the most part, we
all know all the data whether experimental or theoretical are stopgaps as most of our
resources and knowledge about certain phenomena are limited. So by the looks of it, this
catapult may become an international enterprise, which will play a key role in the future
progress of mankind.