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Spoon Catapult: (Project in Projectile Motion)

This document describes a student project to build and test spoon catapults. The students were tasked with designing catapults that demonstrate projectile motion and solving related physics problems. They hypothesized that catapults with larger popsicle sticks would achieve longer distances. Through testing outdoors, they found that distances ranged from 6.75 to 7.26 meters on average, with the longest time and distance achieved using larger popsicle sticks as hypothesized. The document also explains the physics of catapults and how they work by storing elastic potential energy.

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Andrea Badua
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299 views11 pages

Spoon Catapult: (Project in Projectile Motion)

This document describes a student project to build and test spoon catapults. The students were tasked with designing catapults that demonstrate projectile motion and solving related physics problems. They hypothesized that catapults with larger popsicle sticks would achieve longer distances. Through testing outdoors, they found that distances ranged from 6.75 to 7.26 meters on average, with the longest time and distance achieved using larger popsicle sticks as hypothesized. The document also explains the physics of catapults and how they work by storing elastic potential energy.

Uploaded by

Andrea Badua
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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SPOON CATAPULT

(PROJECT IN PROJECTILE MOTION)

Andrea, Rhenz, and Giovanni Physics Period 2 Ms. Buenconsej o

THE CHALLENGE
Standard Solve two dimensional trajectory problems . Learning Objectives -Design and construct spoon catapult that will demonstrate projectile and trajectory motion. -Solve problems related to projectile motion. (vx, vy, dx, dy) -Explain the physics of a catapult -Cite a global issue relevant to the project

INTRODUCTION
Introduction Projectile motion is a motion of an object that has different types of motion. The types of motion are horizontal which is always constant, vertical motion which is influenced by the force of gravity, and the parabolic- the trajectory path of a projectile . Problem How would the results differ when using larger popsicle sticks instead of the original sticks for this project? Hypothesis If we use larger popsicle sticks, it will achieve a longer distance than catapults with small popsicles.

PROCEDURES
Materials 12 popsicle sticks, hot glue gun, scissors, 2 rubber bands, aluminum foil ball, glue sticks 1. -Draw a blueprint for your catapult, because not ever yone could have the same style. Before anything else, tr y to imagine where you will put each stick . 2. - Use the glue gun to stabilize your catapult. Make sure its able to stand on its own so it wont break once we use it to launch . 3. - We couldnt test inside because all of the aluminum foiled balls kept hitting the ceiling. So we tested outside where we have more space.

TESTING TIME

DATA & OBSERVATION


Trials Distance (dx) = vx . t Time (s) Distance (dy) =1/2 gt2 Velocity (vx) =dx/t Velocity (vy) =g . t

Rhenz Andrea Giovanni Average

6.96m 7.26m 6.75m 6.99m

1.47s 1.94s 1.50s 1.64s

10.8m 18.8m 11.25m 13.62m

4.73 m/s 3.74 m/s 4.5 m/s 4.32 m/s

14.7 m/s 19.4 m/s 15 m/s 16.37 m/s

We observed that the longer the time, the greater the distance. With that said, Andrea was the one with the longest time and the largest distance. Second was Giovanni, and lastly Rhenz.

ANALYSIS & CONCLUSION


In conclusion, we were not able to meet our primary goal of reaching a 10m distance. Based on the data, from our group, the highest distance attained was 7.62m. But we were able to prove that our hypothesis was right. If your catapult was built with larger popsicle sticks, it would reach a greater distance than what you would reach with the ordinary popsicle sticks. It is probably because the larger popsicle sticks are thicker therefore stronger. That way you dont have to be as cautious when handling or using it to launch.

SUMMARY & REFLECTION


This project was very interesting. We got a glimpse on how difficult it must have been during the medieval times to use weapons like these. It may have been difficult because of the time to reload whatever ammunition was being used and the fact that the location where youre trying to hit may vary depending on how much you pull back the catapult. We had to always keep in mind that we cant pull the spoon all the way back or else either the spoon will fly away, or your whole catapult will flip.

PHYSICS OF A CATAPULT
A catapult makes use of elastic potential energy. Elastic potential energy is the potential energy of an elastic object that is deformed under tension or compression. If the stretch is released, it is transformed into kinetic (or mechanical or movement) energy. So, when you stretch the catapult's elastic, you are storing potential energy which can be expended very quickly by releasing the elastic band and thus accelerating the projectile turning the potential energy into kinetic or movement energy.

GLOBAL ISSUE OF CATAPULTS


Catapults are not used as much because guns and canons are more effective. But they are still being used. Catapults are used by anglers when coarse fishing to 'catapult' their bait to the area of river where they are trying to catch their fish. Catapults are used to propel aircraft into the air from aircraft carrier ship decks Catapults are used for dropping bombs from boats on submarines, to propel aircrafts into the air from aircraft carriers, and for fun. Kids like to hurl water balloons at each other using catapults.

SAFET Y LAB RULES

Be careful when handling the hot glue gun. Be aware of your surroundings so you dont get hit when others are testing their catapults. Do not launch the catapult if someone is in front of you.

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