![]() ![]() Gravity also does its part as it pulls the object back down to the ground. When you pull down the lever arm all that potential energy gets stored up! Release it and that potential energy gradually changes over to kinetic energy. Newton’s 3 Laws of Motion state that an object at rest stays at rest until a force is applied, and an object will stay in motion until something creates an imbalance in the motion. You can also learn about projectile motion. What is there to explore that has to do with physics? Let’s start with energy including elastic potential energy. This is a great simple physics activity for kids of multiple ages. How about 6 or 10? What are the differences when tested?ĪLSO CHECK OUT: Easy Science Fair Projects HOW DO CATAPULTS WORK? You can also test out the number of popsicle sticks used in the stack to create the tension need to launch the catapult. What kinds of conclusions can they draw from the information gathered? Which item worked the best? Which item didn’t work well at all? Have your kids fire each material 10 times and record the distance each time. Additionally, you can encourage older kids to record the data from measuring all the launches. This is an awesome way to reinforce what the child is learning with a super fun activity. Why? Have fun setting up a catapult to test the theory! Can you design a different catapult using the same materials? Which item will go farther? I think xyz will go farther. Or you can build 2-3 different catapults and see which one works better or if one works better with different objects.Īlways start out asking a question to come up with a hypothesis. ![]() Adding a measuring tape encourages simple math concepts that my 2nd grader is just really starting to explore. Then pull down on the panic snap collar to fire.You can easily set up an experiment by testing different weighted items to see which ones fly farther. Stand well clear of the rotational axis of the throwing arm. Place the projectile loop over the nail on the top of the throwing arm and attach the panic snap to the eye-screw on the throwing arm. Push the throwing arm down so it rests against the rear crosspiece. To fire the catapult, attach your projectile to a short length of rope (experiment to find the length that works the best) and tie a loop in the opposite end of the rope. The more you twist, the farther the projectile will travel, but too much tension may break the pegs, or even the frame. ![]() Insert the throwing arm through the center of the skein and then rotate the pegs in the direction opposite to the flight of the projectile. Center the washers on the spring holes, as shown in the photo, insert ¾-inch-diameter pegs into the washers, and wrap the rope around the pegs. The catapult’s power comes from a skein of rope that you must loop back and forth. Attach a panic snap to the top of the rear crosspiece, in the center. I used 5-inch casters mounted to the front and back crosspieces, but if you choose, you can forgo mobility and opt for solid wood blocks instead.Īttach a screw eye to the throwing arm and pound a 2-inch finish nail in the center of the arm’s top. Place a piece of foam padding on the top crosspiece to cushion the impact of the throwing arm. To attach the angled support pieces to the upright pieces, you’ll need a couple of 4 ½-inch and a couple 5-inch lag screws. Use 3-inch lag bolts to connect the frame to the crosspieces with at least two screws for each connection. Catapult Perspective William Gurstelle/Popular Scienceīuild a sturdy wooden frame, using the drawings as guides. I used good-quality cedar because it weathers well and looks authentic, but any type of softwood will be fine. The catapult perspective drawing shows the quantity and dimensions of the wooden pieces I used to build the catapult’s frame. However, that’s okay because this is a DIY project-tweaking it is part of the fun of making it. The drawings and instructions that follow will provide you with important pieces of information, but quite likely you’ll still need to figure out some of the dimensions on your own. You have a lot of leeway as to how to build your catapult. ![]()
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