History of a Trebuchet Catapult

• ·         The word ‘Trebuchet” is derived from the Old English word ‘Trebucher’ meaning to throw over.
• ·         It was believed to be invented in China in 300BC but more commonly known in England.
• ·         The Trebuchet catapult was first introduced to England in 1216
• ·         The first Trebuchet was powered by men but was later improved [during the Middle Ages] to rely on a huge counterweight that swung a long arm.

Parts of a Trebuchet Catapult

·         A trebuchet consists of five basic parts: the frame(base), counterweight, beam(arm), sling and release mechanism. 

Physics

The trebuchet works by taking the energy of a falling counterweight to throw a projectile. many forces act on the catapult such as gravity and tension. For example gravity is what caused the counterweight to fall and there is friction between the axles and the arm, there is friction between the table and the base, and there is friction between the projectile and the sling. And there is forces on all the forces; according to Newton's third law of motion, whenever one objects exerts a force on one object, the second object exerts an equal and opposite force on the first object.
Newton's second law F=ma  explains trebuchets because the acceleration of the trebuchet is created by the mass of the weight. The net force is created by the weight pulling the arm, which causes the arm so fling up, bringing the sling with it.

Range (max) = 2 * (m1/m2) * h equation used to calculate distance of the projectile.



How it Works..
Once the trebuchet is locked in place, there is potential energy and once the it is released the counterweight drops and it turns to kinetic energy. Then as the weight continues to drop the arm is shot up very quickly. Centrifugal force keeps the projectile in the sling. AS, the sling continues forces try to straighten the sling causing it to unhook and sending the projectile to continue on its way.