Catapult Physics

&Lab Activity

• Force (F): strength or power applied upon an object.

F = mass * acceleration

Definitions

• Mass (m): the quantity of matter (atoms/particles) in the object

• Gravity (g): the FORCE of attraction by which bodies tend to fall toward the center

Definitions

With Air

Resistance

Definitions

• Velocity (v): how far you go over a set amount of time (v = distance/time)

• Acceleration (a): “speeding up”

DefinitionsCAR 1

CAR 2

CAR 3

• Angles (θ): the space within two lines (right)

Definitions• Tension: the

state of being stretched or strained. (left)

•Projectile motion • refers to the motion of an object projected into the air at an angle.

Projectile Motion

 

Examples: Projectiles in Motion

Long Jumper

Soccer Player

 

Projectiles in Motion

 

Projectiles In Motion

 

Projectiles In Motion

Without Gravity VS. With Gravity

Putting it All Together

Gravity is necessary to make a projectile land

back on the ground. The launching force and angle along with the mass of the

object help determine how far and how high the

projectile will fly

3. What are 3 factors that will affect the

distance the projectile travels?

4. Describe how an object’s mass will

change the projectile’s distance traveled?

Questions

Factors in Affect…What Happened?

An object of the same mass and same angle is thrown faster and faster each time

Factors in Affect….What Happened?

Answer Question 5

6. Describe how tension affects the projectile

motion?

7. Does mass effect velocity? Why or why not?

8. How are mass, velocity, and projectile

motion related?

Questions

Objective: The projectiles in this activity are marshmallows. Design and build your catapult to launch the projectile a certain distance.

Remember to do some research to help you in the design process. Include sketches in your design plan, a list of materials you will use, and a data table you will record your results in.

I MUST approve your design plans before you will be allowed to begin construction.

Engineering Design: The Assignment

Example Process

What angle will you use to shoot your projectile?

What will create a force to launch the projectile?

What is the mass of the object being launched?

Things to Consider..

Let’s go out to do a test run and collect our first set of data!

Factors Affecting Distance Mass of object being hurled Strength & flexibility of arm Mass of arm Length of the arm How far the arm is pulled back Angle of base or release (best angle?)

Possible Design Challenge #2Angry Birds – Making Your Catapults

AccurateMake your own data table to record how

many times your marshmallow hits the target.

Calculate your experimental probability. # of times it landed on target / total # of

launchesAre you accurate? Precise? Both?What variables affect the accuracy of your

catapult?

Accuracy vs. Precision