The Trebuchet Weight vs. Distance Test

Overview

Objectives/Goals Hypothesis: The more massive the counterweight, the further the projectile travels. The more potential energy stored in the counterweight, the more kinetic energy the projectile will have. The energy comes from gravity's pull on the counterweight, and is transferred to the momentum of the projectile. Methods/Materials Methods/Procedures: 1) Construct trebuchet 2) Load 16 oz. counterweight 3) Add 1 oz. into counterweight 4) Hook pouch's string onto nail; Set the pin; Straighten string; Center the counterweight; Pull pin 5) Measure distance projectile is thrown; Record distance 6) Reload and repeat steps 3-5 until you're out of weights 7) Graph results Materials:1 can, 1 16oz. weight, 20 1oz. weights, Trebuchet (9 pieces of wood, 11 screws, Wire, Wood base, Nail for hook, Nail for pin), 1 pouch, 1 large marble, 22 in. of string, Tape measure Results The trebuchet threw the projectiles further the more weight there was. The last projectile didn't travel as far as the 2 projectiles before it. But the measurements kept at an increasing rate. The average increase was 10.49 cm. Conclusions/Discussion The test was to see how the mass of a counterweight would affect the throwing distance of a trebuchet. I thought the heavier the counterweight the further the projectile would travel. We launched 20 projectiles, increasing the counterweight#s mass each time. The data showed that as I put more weight into the counterweight, the projectile flew further. However, the final projectile didn#t go as far as it did during the two previous launches, but the decrease was one out of twenty data points. The decrease happened because the counterweight put too much friction on the pivot and slowed the arm down, and caused the arm and pivot to wobble, adding to the friction. My hypothesis was supported despite the last data point.

Competition history

• CSEF 2010 Applied Mechanics & Structures · Entry J0222

Resources

• CSEF project summary ↗

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