Catapult- Effect of angles

Li Jung Huang (Kelly) 5861057

Alinnan Thiptanakit (Jinny) 5861001
Phuchong Srilayka (Ohm) 5861102
Phonarnun Tatiyamaneekul (Phon) 5861101
Objective
To know the best angle to move the object farthest, and
applied the knowledge that have learnt to explain the the result
and data. We also get a chance to learn about the relationship
between angles and elasticity.

Materials
1.PVC pipe with different shapes and functions
2.Cutter and Saw
3.Giant rubber band
4.Glue
5.Hook
6.Erasers

Set up
Background/Introduction
In the first, catapult was one of the weapon to use during
war in the ancient time, which can shoot rocks, or stone that is
on fire to destroy the building and the enemies. Different from
the long vertical distance that trebuchet shot to sky, the path
catapult shot will be more flat but powerful. It is a ballistic
device used to launch a projectile a great distance without the
aid of explosive devicesparticularly various types of ancient
and medieval siege engines.

In this project, we are going to build and design our own

catapult with pvc pipes, which give a chance to express the
creativity of members and the workability. In the same time, we
are going to use erasers as the object that launched. We also
need to design a way to make the angle of catapult be
changeable, so we can get the result that we expect to, and get
a accurate data to compare.

This project involved in both work, and the energy caused

by elasticity, which you can see during the launching. For the
goal of this project, we would like to know the relationship
between the force that we put on the launcher and how do
elasticity effect to the result.

Discussion of Physic concept

Work:
Force x Distance = Work is the formula of the work. Work
means result of force times distance. if force or distance will
increase then Work will increase too.
In this project, Work can related to the force that rubber
band can push eraser. the angle in catapult can related to
amount of force that can throw object to another place. If the
angle that used is near 0 degree then it will have higher force
than angle that is farther from 0 degree. The higher work mean
object that used to throw will go farther. So the result will
depend on the angle that use at that time.
Elastic Potential Energy:
Energy can exist in many different forms. Elastic energy
is the potential mechanical energy stored in the configuration of
a material or physical system as work is performed to distort its
volume or shape. Elastic energy occurs when objects are
compressed and stretched, or generally deformed in any
manner.
In the experience, the more you force add on the launcher
means the more energy you storage, which the energy is ready
to work. The main energy source of this project is the elasticity
that provide from the rubber, so when you push the launcher
harder till the ground level, the object will travel to a long
distance, because as you increase the force every time you
change the angle, the energy that be stored also increase.
Which means the force you put on the catapult is directly
proportional to the energy that will occur for launch. And this is
what we would like to discuss in the project, to know how it
affect on the result and the differences between each angles.

Discussion of Design
 1. Decided the material that we are going to use for
building the catapult. After the discussion, we choose to
use PVC pipe but not the wood to build the model, first
because it is easy to buy, and second pvc pipe is more
easy to make the part for adjusting angles.
2. Draw a set up or design for the catapult. In the
same time we need to make sure the design is going to
work, then we can start next step.
3. Buy your material.
4. Build the catapult according to the design. We will
get some specific type of glue for pipe and make sure the
model will not break during the launch. And because of the
convenience of PVC pipe, we dont really need to do any
cutting or craft, just need to assembly the pipes into the
shape we want.
5. Build up the part that helps to change the angles.
We will add two extra pipes in at the back side of catapult
as the pillar, and put another pipe to be the tool to adjust
angle, and also for setting the launcher.
6. Use several big rubbers to tide up the main
structure of catapult and the part hold the eraser. This
step provide enough elasticity and give the catapult have
the ability to launch the object.
7. Launch. Now after finishing up the catapult, you can
launch your eraser in a wide space with different angles,
and after compare the data from different angles. From
this step, you can know how the angle effects on distance
and the most suitable angle for catapult to launch.

Data
Angle/Trial 1st Trial 2nd Trial 3rd Trial
45 2.20m 2.00m 2.20m
30 6.60m 5.40m 5.62m
15 9.67m 9.00m 9.50m
5 11.00m 9.90m 10.70m

Analysis of data
So in our experimen,there are 45 , 30 , 15 and 5
for launch. We try to launch eraser for three times in each
angles then compare the results. The results were about the
same distance since it is only 45 degrees. In 30 , the first trial
have the farest distance and the other two trials was about the
same distance. It is more far than 45 since the angle and
elasticity are factors that cause how far the objects goes. In 15
and 5 , it can be seen that less angle lead to the greater
distance for result. However, not only the angle but the object
that we launch also influence the result, too. Since the object
that we used to fired is an eraser, which is small and light, so
that's why the eraser launch very far. It can be seen that there
are many factors that causes the length of distance. However,
the main factor are the lesser angle and the greater the
elasticity for the energy, which cause the farther distance to
reach.

Conclusion
In a nutshell, we can conclude that there are many factors
causes the object to launch in a very far distance. The first
factor is that, the lesser angles for launch will cause a longer
distance for result. The second is the shape, size, weight, etc of
that object, which we need to test more with different objects to
figure out the relationship. But the elasticity that cause by the
rubber is important, too, if you cant get enough elasticity to
cause the energy to launch, the object could not fly this far.
However, in this experience we know that the more strength we
use to pull down the launcher equal to more elasticity for
energy, which also equal to the smaller angle we use to launch
the object, so the object will be launched in a far distance with a
small angle.

Recommendation
Our group recommend in the future, the object should be
measure or should be compare to make the experiment
become fair and easily to contrast. The materials should be
more stronger that could withstand the extensity of the rubber
band that used to launch for 15 and 5 .

References
Physics Catapult Competition. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.aplusphysics.com/projects/catapult.html

Cowen, A. (2016, January 22). Projectile Physics and Catapult Science. Retrieved
from http://www.sciencebuddies.org/blog/2016/01/simple-catapult-science.php

Elert, G. (n.d.). Energy. Retrieved from http://physics.info/energy/

What is a projectile? (n.d.). Retrieved from

http://www.physicsclassroom.com/Class/vectors/u3l2a.cfm
Definition and Mathematics of Work. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/energy/Lesson-1/Definition-and-
Mathematics-of-Work

Work log

Li Jung Huang Objective/Background/Set

up/Discussion of concept/
Discussion of design
Alinnan Thiptanakit Data, Analysis of data,
Conclusion, Recommendation
Phuchong Srilayka Nothing
Phonarnun Tatiyamaneekul Building catapult/Discussion of
concept/References