Proof of Efficacy Document

We used a 68 cm by 23 cm base for our trebuchet. We used two 2 by 4s for the legs that
were 38 cm tall. We drilled an arm to the axle which had a diameter of 2.5 cm. The arm was 52
cm long and it had a nail on the end to hold the mass. A screw on the opposite end held the
rubber bands. We launched a mass on a string with six large rubber bands.

Our Changes:

1. 3 chains of 2 rubber bands will work best.This amount of rubber bands creates the
proper amount of energy. With less the rubber bands the trebuchet will not have enough
force to launch the projectile.
2. We created a 60 degree release nail instead of a zero degree release nail. We made this
change for many reasons. The nail holds the projectile for the correct amount of time.
When it is released it will depart at a 45 degree angle throwing the projective the longest.
3. We also decided to use thick rubber bands instead of skinny rubber bands. The thick
bands will be able to withstand all our pull. A skinny rubber band will snap and it cannot
withstand the force of our hands.
4. A 22.5 g projectile instead of 27.3 g projectile worked better. A large projectile will have
more energy giving it more velocity ruling out small projectiles. A too large projectile
needs more force to put it into motion so a 22.5 g projectile was the perfect balance.
5. A 35 degree release angle is better than a 90 degree angle. You need to take air
resistance into effect so a 45 degree release will not be effective. This will create a
higher velocity when you counter the air resistance making a 35 degree release the best
option.
6. A 8 inch string instead of a 23 cm string on the projectile will send it further. Distance is
affected by the length of the string and the time will stay the same so 8 inches will create
a maximum velocity. Using the equation v=d/t the distance of the string is what will affect
the velocity because it will stay the same.
7. Rubber bands are better than weights. With smaller amounts of added force, you can
make sure the arm does not expend to much force. You cannot control the amount of
force with weights. The weight can only accelerate at a maximum of 9.8 m/s squared
because it is an free falling object so the rubber bands will work best.
 8. A 1:1 load to effort ratio is better instead of 35:17. It will have a mechanical advantage of
one so no energy is lost lifting the heavier side. The ball will not be released early or late
with the 1:1 ratio so it will travel the maximum distance.

CLEAR Paragraph

The mass will travel farther when the load and effort sides are equal. Over the past week
we designed a trebuchet. We had to find the most effective load/effort ratio. We found that when
the load and effort sides were equal the mass when the farthest. When the load/ effort ratio was
20 cm to 32 cm, the mass traveled an average of 3.3 meters. When the load/effort ratio was 25
cm to 27cm, the mass traveled the farthest. The sides were almost equal and the mass traveled
an average of 13 meter. Finally, when the load/effort ratio was 30 cm to 22 cm the mass
traveled 9m. This evidence showed that the mass traveled the farthest when the ratio was
equal. This happened for many reasons. The equal ratio created a mechanical advantage of
one. With the mechanical advantage no energy was lost trying to lift the arm. The sides were
equal weight so neither of the sides lost energy bringing up the other heavier side. Also, with the
equal ratio the rubber bands dont have to stretch as far. With a longer effort side the rubber
bands would have to stretch far and possible snap. Finally, with equal sides the mass was
released at the right time. If the load side was short it would be released early and if the load
end was long it would be released late.

Our Calculations:

Mass of ball = 0.0225 kg: We found our mass by using a scale and finding the mass.
Horiz d = 9.75 m: We tested our trebuchet multiple times and we found the average distance it
travelled was 9.75 m.
T = 2.8 sec: We timed the time the projectile was in the air for our time.
Vert d = 9.6 m: We found the vertical distance by using Vvert=1/2at2. We used our fall time to
calculate this, which was 1.4 seconds.
Horiz V = 3.48 m/s: We found this velocity by using dv=/t. This was the velocity of the projectile
horizontal.
Vert V = 13.72 m/s: We found this velocity by using v=at. This was the velocity of the projectile
vertically.
Total V = 13.85 m/s: The total velocity was found by using a2+b2=c2. We used the vertical and
horizontal velocities as the legs of the right triangle to find the total velocity of the projectile.
Spring constant (k) = 196 N/m: We calculated spring constant by using the equation k=F/d.
We calculated the force was 9.8 N and the distance was 0.05 m. We found the distance by
calculating the distance the rubber band stretched.
PE spring = 14.15 J: We found the PE of the spring by using PE=1/2kx2. We found x by
measuring the distance of the rubber band when the trebuchet was pulled back which was
0.38 m.
KE ball = 2.16 J: We found the KE of the ball by using KE=1/2mv2. We used our mass and
velocity to find that the ball had a KE of 2.16 J.
% converted = 15.3%: The converted energy was found by dividing the kinetic energy by the
potential energy. This showed us the amount of potential energy that turned into kinetic energy.

Our design:

Our design is very easy to use. It can easily be pulled back to the maximum point and
the projectile is easy to loop onto the end. We have a large sturdy base so you only need one
hand to operate it. When it fired it stays in place and you do not have to hold onto it. Our design
is the perfect size so it can be carried by one person. It is also large enough to support the arm
when it launches.