Chloe Becker

Rachel Hatton
Eve Thomas
Pre-AP Physics
Quackenbush 4
3/1/14

Becker 1

Preliminary Catapult Design

The base of our catapult will be made of a lightweight but sturdy and slightly
flexible wood so its less likely to become unbalanced and topple over but at the same
time reduce overall weight. Wooden wheels at each of the four corners are to allow for
any energy that might cause it to topple instead be put towards pushing the tennis ball
forward. The throwing arm itself will be made out of a part of a limb from a bow.
Metals/woods used in bows are lightweight and extremely flexible. Overall, they pack a
lot of punch, perfect for throwing tennis balls long distance. The curvature of the limb,
however, will have to be factored into the release angle, which may be more or less than
forty-five degrees. There will be a small piece of wood, or other extremely sturdy
material, to stop the throwing arm at the to-be-determined angle.
As for the actual part that releases the ball, we were thinking the very end of a
Chuckit! because they are custom made for throwing tennis balls. This, however, might
have to be rethought because since we arent throwing the ball with the original arm of a
Chuckit!, there is a possibility it could limit the distance or delay the release. To pull the
throwing arm back we will just use a simple rope- bungey cord or something too springy
could relieve to much of the tension in the throwing arm and keep it from reaching its
maximum force when springing forward. The stickers on the bottom, most likely stars,
are just added awesomeness, to be put simply. The stickers automatically make our
catapult way more awesome just by being there. Even if it doesnt throw as far

Chloe Becker
Rachel Hatton
Eve Thomas
Pre-AP Physics
Quackenbush 4
Energy Conversions
When you pull back the throwing arm the external force that your had exerts on
the arm transforms into kinetic energy as it moves down. That kinetic energy then
transforms into elastic potential energy as the bungy cord stretches. When the throwing
arm is released the elastic potential energy transforms into gravitational potential energy
as the ball flies out. Right after the ball hits the peak in its projectile path, the potential
energy transforms continuously into kinetic energy until it the ball hits the ground.