Derek Dela Cruz

Mr. Williams
STEM - 3/4
11-8-17

Trebuchet Proof of Efficacy

The Task:
My group was assigned the task to create a trebuchet that could launch a projectile as far as
possible without any dimension exceeding the limit of 1 meter. The trebuchet characteristics
consisted of:
56 cm x 28 cm x 2 cm base
Two 29.5 cm x 9 cm x 4 cm legs
12 cm rod with 0.5 cm diameter
46 cm x 4 cm x 3 cm arm
Five 2.54 cm screws
One 2.54 cm nail
6 medium sized rubber bands
2 size 64 rubber bands

Trebuchet before launch

Trebuchet after launch

8 Modifications
Over the course of the project, we created 8 modifications to the trebuchet in order to ensure
maximum performance and efficiency. Before the modifications, our trebuchet averaged around
5.6m per launch. Of course, we wanted the projectile to fly as far as it could.

1. Replacing weights with rubber bands

We tested the difference between weights and rubber bands for launching the projectile. Rubber
bands are much better than weights when launching the projectile. On average, the weights
launched the projectile about 5.6m, while the rubber bands launched the projectile 19m. This is
a 239% increase. The drastic increase is due to that weights only have the force of gravity to
launch the projectile, while the rubber bands get force from the bands retracting. This force is a
lot stronger than the force of gravity.

2. Finding the best mass for the projectile (10g)

A 10g ball is the perfect size for a projectile. A 20g ball launches on average 4m, a 60g ball
doesnt launch at all, and a 10g ball launches on average 6.7m. A 10g ball finds the perfect
balance between distance and mass. A too light ball will fly too vertically high, while a too heavy
ball will not fly at all. 10g finds balance between the two factors.

3. Removing any angle stopper

No angle stopper maximises the distance of the projectile. An angle stopper 10cm from the
edge throws the ball 1.8m, while no angle stopper throws it 2.61m. Angle stoppers prevent the
arm from following through with the throw. As a result, this decreases the force on the projectile.
No angle stopper lets the arm follow through with all its force.

4. Finding the best string length (30cm)

A 30 cm string length allows the projectile to fly the farthest. A 20cm string flies 1.25m, while a
30cm string launches about 3.7m. Too long of a string will release the projectile too late, while
too small will lose distance. Similar to the 10g projectile, the 30cm string finds balance between
length and distance.

5. Angle of nail (65 degrees)

A nail angle of 65 degrees releases the projectile at the best time possible, letting it fly as far as
it can. A 90 degree angle launches the projectile 11m, while a 40 degree angle launches the
projectile 7.5m. These are the two endpoints of the domain, 40<x<90 where x = the angle of the
nail. The midpoint of this is 65 degrees, which should result in the farthest distance.

6. Shape of projectile
No matter what shape the projectile is, it doesnt affect the trajectory. A spherical shape
launches about 0.49m, while a cube launches 0.5m. The change is so miniscule, its doesnt
affect the trajectory. The mass is so small, that air resistance doesnt affect the projectile.

7. Arm and leg distance

The less space between the arm and legs increases the distance of the projectile. A 3.5cm gap
between the arm and legs results in a 11.8m distance. A 0.5cm gap results in significantly
farther 13.9m distance. The less space between the arm and legs means theres less space for
the arm to wobble, resulting in better stability.

8. Size 64 rubber bands

Size 64 rubber bands are the best size of rubber bands to use when firing the projectile. The
thick and small rubber bands launch the projectile 4m, while the size 64 bands launched the
projectile 14.8m. The size 64 bands are thicker, resulting in a faster pullback and more force.

CLEAR Paragraph

Rubber bands launch the projectile of a trebuchet significantly farther than weights. We
constructed working trebuchets in class. Trebuchets are catapult-like siege weapons that fired
projectiles from the back of its firing arm. The question to answer was whether a trebuchet fires
a longer distance when triggered with either weights or rubber bands. When a trebuchet fires
with a 2 lb weight, the projectile, on average, goes approximately 5.6m. When a trebuchet fires
with rubber bands, the projectile goes significantly, traveling on average 19m. This is about a
239% increase in distance. A weight can only accelerate at 9.8 m/s^2, meaning that the force is
limited by gravity. However, when the rubber bands are stretched, the tension creates much
more force than gravity since its not limited to a single number. The weight has a force of about
20 N since F = mg and m = 2 kg. The rubber bands have a spring constant of 140 N/m and are
stretched 0.4m, resulting in a force of 56N. The rubber bands create 180% more force than the
weights. This happens because the rubber bands spring constant is so high, its stronger than
the weights. The speed of the rubber bands contracting is also faster than the weights falling,
meaning that the force is applied over less time, resulting in higher force. Because of the speed,
there is more force applied on the projectile with the rubber bands than the weights. With more
force, the rubber bands launch the projectile much farther than the falling weights.

Weight vs Rubber Band Data

Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Average

Weights 5m 6m 6m 5.6m

Rubber Bands 18m 20m 19m 19m

Trebuchet Data
Over the course of the project, we measured calculated multiple aspects of the trebuchet. This
is our results:

Concept Equation Data Explanation

Mass of Projectile N/A 10g The amount of matter

in the projectile.

Horizontal Distance N/A 19m How far the projectile

flew after its launch.

Time in Air N/A 1.28s How long the

projectile was in the
air.

Vertical Distance d = 1/2at^2 2.01m How high the

projectile went after
its launch.

Horizontal Velocity v = d/t 14.84 m/s How fast the

projectile was going
horizontally.

Vertical Velocity v = at 12.5 m/s How fast the

projectile was going
vertically.

Total Velocity a^2 + b^2 = c^2 19.4 m/s This is the net
(Pythagorean velocity of the
Theorem) projectile. We can
find this by using the
Pythagorean
 Theorem.

Angle of Release N/A 65 degrees The angle the

projectile was
launched at to create
the trajectory.

Spring Constant k = F/d 140 N/m The tendency of how

much the spring (in
this case, rubber
band) wants to return
to its original form.

Initial Spring Potential PE = 1/2kx^2 2.8J The amount of

Energy energy in the spring
before launch.

Kinetic Energy of Ball KE = 1/2mv^2 1.8J The energy of the

projectile when it was
motion.

Percent Energy KE/PE 67% The amount of

Converted energy successfully
converted. Energy is
lost to other forms,
such as thermal.

Why Our Trebuchet?

Light and small
Excellent firing power, averaging 19m and maxing at around 25m
Projectile flies fast, staying in the air for about 1.3s
Easy to launch
Easy to repair