This was great, gave me a much greater understanding of my intelligence. I will certainly refer it to all of my friends!
The task is to build a model version of a trebuchet. A trebuchet is a siege engine that began to appear in China in the 4th Century BCE even though it is widely thought to be a European invention. It was used in siege warfare right up until the invention of gunpowder in the 16th Century CE. They threw stone or metal balls up to and over 140kg to smash down stone fortifications.
This was great, gave me a much greater understanding of my intelligence. I will certainly refer it to all of my friends!
The task is to build a model version of a trebuchet. A trebuchet is a siege engine that began to appear in China in the 4th Century BCE even though it is widely thought to be a European invention. It was used in siege warfare right up until the invention of gunpowder in the 16th Century CE. They threw stone or metal balls up to and over 140kg to smash down stone fortifications. We had a few weeks and all the materials we would need to build the model.
2.0 Scientific Principles
The trebuchet is just like a giant (or in this
case, small) lever that is raised above the ground. It uses a weight far larger than the weight of the projectile to propel it forward at speed. It is a relatively simple device but obtaining optimum throwing distance and power is a matter of trial and error and the fine-tuning of the controlling variables. Variables that may increase or decrease the performance of this model include:
The position/length of the swinging arm
The size/weight of the counterweight
The size of the projectile
Whether or not the wheels are attached
3.0 Experimental Investigation
3.1 Aim
The aim of this experiment is to make a model trebuchet and find the optimum selection of variables for the optimum throwing distance.
3.2 Hypothesis
3.21 Hypothesis 1
I believe that making the throwing arm of the trebuchet longer towards the end with the sling will increase the distance of the throw because the projectile will be released higher and with more force.
3.23 Hypothesis 3
I believe that having wheels on the base of the trebuchet will increase the distance of the throw because it will absorb the recoil of the shot that would have otherwise rocked the trebuchet and caused it to fire at the wrong angle.
3.22 Hypothesis 2
I believe that a heavier counter-weight will increase the distance of the throw because it will be using more force to lift the same projectile.
3.24 Hypothesis 4
I believe that having a smaller heavier projectile will result in a longer throw because it will have less wind resistance making it aerodynamic and while still having enough inertia.
