Play Catapult: How to Build a Catapult for Physics

High school students learn about two-dimensional motion, arc, velocity and magnitude while completing construction of a catapult for physics class. Students should draw simple designs and select inexpensive materials that are easy to replace. Physics teachers often conduct a competition to see whose catapult is most effective, so discuss what projectiles you will launch, such as eggs or marshmallows, and practice measuring the catapult's lauch ability and object's distance in order to adjust your design as needed to improve efficiency.

Instructions

Cut PVC pipe into two 3-inch parts, six 6-inch pieces, four 12-inch sections, two 15-inch pipes, and a 21-inch section.

Connect an elbow joint on each end of a 6-inch PVC section. Screw a hinge onto the center of the 6-inch piece and attach the 21-inch section to the hinge arm to create the catapult arm. Insert 12-inch pieces into the open elbow ends to create a W-shape.

Insert a tee joint on the end of each 12-inch piece. Attach a 6-inch section on the opposite end of each joint, and place a 12-inch section into the end of the tee. Place an elbow joint on each upright 12-inch piece so the open ends face each other and connect with a 6-inch section. This will stop the catapult arm after it is released.

Place tee joints on the exposed ends of the 6-inch pieces in the catapult base. Insert 3-inch pieces in the opposite slots and mount a 15-inch piece in the leg of the tee. Connect the two 15-inch sections with elbow joints and a 6-inch PVC bridge, replicating the arm stop created in the previous step. This structure is called the helper.

Attach elbow joints to the open end of the 3-inch sections and complete the base by inserting a 6-inch piece into the elbow joints.

Place two rubber bands together and loop two more rubber bands around them, resembling a + shape. Create four identical rubber band sets and loop the ends of the rubber bands around each corner of the helper and the arm stop.

Complete the catapult by adding a seat for the projectile. Attach a small plastic bowl to the launch end of the catapult arm by drilling a hole in the base of the bowl and driving a screw through the bowl into the pipe.

How to Build a Catapult Easy to Build Catapult Plans and Trebuchet ...
howtobuildcatapults.com
Easy to build catapult plans and trebuchet plans for study and recreation.
How to Build a Catapult for a School Project eHow
www.ehow.com Hobbies, Games & Toys Toys Educational Toys
Building a catapult for a school project is a fun way to explore history and physics. There are many different types of catapult you can make, from a plastic spoon ...
How to Build a Catapult - glassvisage on HubPages
glassvisage.hubpages.com Outdoor Games
Learn about the different types of catapults, which type suits your needs best, and the steps to build a small catapult.
How To Build A CatapultCatapult Building Tips
learntobuildcatapults.com
Learn How To Build A Catapult With My Step-By-Step System. Build A Working Catapult And Have Fun Doing It. Start Building Your Catapult Today!
how to build a kids catapult - jimmythejock on HubPages
jimmythejock.hubpages.com Arms and Weapons History
HOW TO BUILD A CATAPULT . A catapult was a medieval rocket launcher it was used to hurl stones rocks and even tar covered rocks which had been set alight,they were ...
How to Build a popsicle catapult Construction Toys
construction-toys.wonderhowto.com/how-to/build-popsicle-catapult...
How to Build a popsicle catapult. This video demonstrates how to make a catapult out of popsicle sticks. For this project, you will need the following: 7 rubber ...
How to Build yourself a small catapult from scratch Specialized ...
specialized-weapons.wonderhowto.com/how-to/build-yourself-small...
Building a small catapult from scratch can be a fun task for any child to complete. In this two part video tutorial, you'll find out how to build yourself a small ...
How to Build a Catapult - Monsterguide.net
monsterguide.net/how-to-build-a-catapult
Things You Will Need to Build a Catapult If you are planning to construct your very own catapult, you initially need the following materials: 3 pieces of
How to Build a Simple Wood Catapult eHow
www.ehow.com Hobbies, Games & Toys Hobbies Other Hobbies
Catapults were a weapon of war for thousands of years, but now are used for anything from tabletop games to tossing pumpkins hundreds of feet through the air. A ...
How to Build a Catapult
www.instructables.com/id/How-To-Build-A-Catapult
There are already a few large-scale Trebuchet Instructables out there, but for the low-tech medieval enthusiasts, here is the first large-scale catapult Instructable!