MARSHMALLOW CATAPULTS

“The Engineering Process” in designing and constructing. It includes the following steps: 1. Brainstorm 2. Design 3. Build/prototype (a prototype is a model of the first design) 4. Test 5. Redesign  

The Catapult: Step-by-Step Projectile placed in the cradle at the end of the catapult's arm 2. The arm is pulled back, creating tension on an elastic restraint This built up potential energy is released and does work on the arm and therefore on the projectile The projectile gains kinetic energy as the arm accelerates forward The arm is brought to an abrupt halt The projectile retrains kinetic energy and launches from the cradle

Kinetic Energy Potential Energy Vocabulary Potential Energy - stored energy--energy ready to go Ex: A car at the top of a hill Kinetic Energy – energy that is released, in motion Ex: A car rolling down a hill Trajectory - the path that a thrown or launched projectile will take under the action of gravity, not taking into account all other forces, such as friction from air resistance, without propulsion. Projectile - A fired, thrown, or otherwise propelled object, having no capacity for self-propulsion. Range – how far a projectile will travel trajectory Kinetic Energy energy created by movement of the arm Projectile Potential Energy Stored in the rubber band or string Abrupt halt cradle tension http://www.redstoneprojects.com/trebuchetstore/catapultanimation.html