The Projectile Launch Project

Objectives

The object of the Projectile Launch Project is to design and create a projectile launching machine.

• Name five different devices that have been used to launch projectiles.
• Could an object be launched to the moon using a catapult?
• Does a catapult push or pull?
• What is the maximum distance a trebuchet with a 2 kilogram counterweight can throw a 100 gram projectile if the counterweight's range is from 1.25 meters above the ground down to 0.65 meters above the ground?
• What's the difference between a catapult and a slingshot?
• Are launchers always used to throw things?
• Trebuchet is a French word. What does it mean?
• What is a seige?
• Where does a launcher get the energy to throw heavy weights through long distances?
• How does a lever work?
• Who invented the catapult and in what battle was the first catapult used?
• In what century was the last catapult used in battle?
• What weapon replaced the catapult?
• What is work?
• Are catapults always used as weapons?
• How are launchers used today?