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Mangonel Catapult

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Mangonel Catapult
The objective of this experiment was to build a device to launch a marshmallow into a container. Catapults were first invented to hurl projectiles farther than any human could. They were effective as blockade weapons and vital on the battle fields (Alchin, 2012). The type of catapult used in this experiment is called a Mangonel catapult. Typical mangonels are powered by a torsion-type string, which is twisted when the catapult arm is pulled back. When the catapult is fired, the spring pulls the catapult arm back to its original position, launching the projectile (Alchin, 2012) The mangonel consists of an arm with a bowl-shaped bucket attached to the end. In this bucket a load is placed. Upon release, the arm rotates at a high speed and throws the load out of the bucket, towards the target. The launch velocity of the load is equal to the velocity of the arm at the bucket end. The launch angle of the load is controlled by stopping the arm using a crossbar. This crossbar is positioned so as to stop the arm at the desired angle which results in the load being launched out of the bucket at the desired launch angle. This crossbar can be padded to cushion the impact.

Work, or energy, will be done on the arm and payload. In order for work to be done on an object, a force must be applied, the object must be in motion, the force and motion must be in the same plane, and the energy must be changing. Work is being done on the arm because the elastic force of the rubber band is causing in to travel forward.
Kinetic energy is used to pull back the catapult, and get the rubber band ready for launch. The rubber band contains elastic potential energy. That elastic potential energy converts to kinetic energy, and the marshmallow launched gains gravitational potential energy while losing kinetic energy, until it reaches its maximum height. At its maximum height it has the least amount of kinetic energy, but the greatest potential energy. As it falls in loses potential

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