Trebuchet Project
Benchmark on Projectile and Rotary Motion
Build a trebuchet that is capable of launching a large marshmallow from a distance of 3 to 5 meters, and hitting a target that is .30 m high +/- .10 m. You will have 5 trials to hit your target, and will be graded according to your building design, accuracy, and analysis.
Questions for Analysis
(To be completed individually)
- Where is the biggest frictional issue in your machine? Explain why this matters to the momentum of the mallow.
- Determine the maximum range for your trebuchet, t(calc), and the initial values of v(x) and v(y) including a diagram using logger pro
- How could you determine F(net) of the mallow?
- How will the momentum of the projectile change if we use jawbreakers instead of marshmallows? An orange? Why?
- Pick a time frame for your catapult. Determine the change in t, the acceleration due to gravity, and the distance traveled. Based on this, calculate v(i) at the beginning of the interval and v(f) at the end of the interval in the x and the y directions. Choose your interval carefully so you are not mixing y(up) and y(down)
- Write a three to five paragraph summary of how you would change the design if you built another machine, and what you have learned about physics. Include the following terms: potential energy, kinetic energy, frictional force, net force, acceleration of gravity, vector errors, kinematic equations, independent x and y motions.
