Jake Hobson

Stem- 6/7
11/14/17

Proof of Efficacy Document

Description of design:

Our group built a trebuchet on a flat, rectangular base. The trebuchet had 2 legs and an

arm which is rotates about an axle connected to the 2 legs. We used a spring as our force to

launch the projectile. Then, after testing, we added 8 modifications.

8 Modifications:

1. Spring vs Rubber Bands vs Weight: We chose to use springs and rubber bands because they

give you more initial force.Where the weights will give you a less ,but continual force. The

initial force is needed more because the projectile needs to gain speed the quickest. Also springs

and rubber bands are more portable than weights.

2. String Length: We found that the best string length is 8 cm or .08 m. This is because the time

it takes stays the same but, the distance is affected by length of string so the longer the string the

faster it will travel. However, once the string reaches a certain length, The angle at which it

launches out will be too steep and it will travel less of a distance.
3. Arm Ratio: We made our arm ratio 2:1. This is because if the ratio is to large then the arm

does not have enough force on it to swing with the same speed. However if it is too small such as

1:1 then the arm length is not enough to give it a long enough time to gain speed.

4. The Amount of Rubber bands: We used three rubber bands because we found that if we

added more than it was too strong and would rip apart the clay.

5. Projectile mass: The mass that we used was 16.25 g or .01625 kg. This is because If your

projectile is too light then the drag will be too high. Also if it is too heavy then it would require

more force to launch.

6. Projectile hardness: We believed that the harder the clay the better because the hardness does

not affect your results in a weak trebuchet; but if you have a too weak of clay with a strong

trebuchet, then it will rip apart when it launches.

7. Stopper location: At first we tried using a stopper and had it located over the axle which we

found was the best place to have the stopper if you were going to use one. This is because it

allows it to swing far enough to let go of the projectile but not a too large or small angle.

8. Stopper/ no stopper: We decided to remove our stopper which made the launch angle closer

to 45 degrees. This is because with a stopper, the launch angle might be greater which causes the

force to be put into vertical distance and not horizontal distance so it will not go as far. 45

degrees is a perfect balance.

CLEAR Paragraph:

The best string length to launch your projectile the farthest distance is 8 in long. We

tested this by launching the same clay ball from the same trebuchet with multiple different string
lengths. The string lengths that we tested were 5 inches to 9 inches. String lengths from 5 to 8

inches, the average distance increases but, once it reached 9 inches, the distance started to

decrease. A 6 inch long string went an average of 18.3 meters, and 9 inches went an average

distance of 13 meters, where a 8 inch long string went an average of 22 meters, which was the

farthest. This is because the time it takes stays the same but, the distance is affected by length of

string so the longer the string the faster it will travel. However, once the string reaches a certain

length, The angle at which it launches out will be too steep and it will travel less of a distance.

Velocity equals distance over time or V=d/t. Another reason that the longer string will travel

farther is because the longer string adds the length of the string to the distance traveled, however

it will still max out at a certain length because of the same reason.

Calculations/ Measurements:

Mass of projectile .01625 kg or 16.25 g (.035 lb)

Horizontal distance 46 m (150.9 ft)

Time in air 2.25 sec

Vertical distance (d= 1/2a*t^2) t= time falling 23.7 m (77.75 ft)

Horizontal velocity (v=d/t) 20.9 m/s (46.75 mph)

Vertical velocity (v=at) 21.56 m/s (48.2 mph)

Total velocity (a^2 + b^2= c^2) 30.02 m/s (67.15 mph)

Spring constant (k=F/d) 612.5 N/m (451.75 lb/ft)

Initial spring potential energy (PE spring = 27.56 J

k x^2)
 Kinetic energy of the ball (KE = m v^2) 7.2 J

Percent energy converted (KE/PE) 7.2 J/27.56 J = 26%

Angle of release 60 degrees or 60

Main selling point:

Our trebuchet is small and light because it uses springs/ rubber bands instead of weights

and it is still very powerful. Also, since it has a spring, you don't need to take off the rubber

bands and it is always ready to fire.