Nihal Nazeem

Mr. Williams
STEM 6/7
December 9th, 2016

Proof of Efficacy of Catapult Modifications

Project Description and Constraints:
The goal of this project is to create a reusable, portable projecting device that remains in one
place, when launching ,and must launch the projectile as far as possible,
where all the dimensions must not exceed 1 meter (1.1 yards).
3-Dimensional Representation:
*

Side

Front

Top

*Rubber bands to the left of the Side view are placed to station the catapult and are not part of the function of the design.

Our Design:
Our team made multiple modifications to our catapult from changing the axle height to changing
our pillar angle. Some of the modifications yielded to a very prominent positive result as others
amounted to no effect. The modifications to the catapult are as follows:
1. Input Energy
We have concluded that the energy source should come from as many rubber bands as
possible of thickness.This is because counterweights take time to accelerate downwards to pull
the arm, as having rubber bands releases the arm in a shorter amount of time, which provides a
higher initial velocity, that propels the projectile afar. In addition to release times, rubber
bands are also ideal because the spring constant [the amount of force per meter] is more flexible
comparable to springs which can peak sooner than rubber bands. Also having thicker rubber

bands make them more durable. When the flexibility of the spring constant (k) is coupled with
the amount of rubber bands, the Potential Energy in the system can be easily multiplied. That
is why having rubber bands, as opposed to springs, are a better input source for the catapult, as it
provides more energy in the system to be utilized in a smaller amount of time, allowing a
higher velocity to shoot the projectile far.
2. Projectile Mass
The mass of the projectile should be 7-10 grams ( - oz) for the farthest distance. If the
mass of the projectile is excessive, then it will not reach as far as a 7-10 gram projectile, because
a heavier mass is harder to move because of inertia,the tendency of an object to remain in its
initial state, until acted upon by an outside force. Since the mass begins in a rest position, it is
harder to move because it takes more work to move it from a stationary state to an active
state. In addition, if the projectile of insufficient mass is fired, it will experience wind
resistance or drag, as it doesnt have enough inertia to continue moving forward, which slows
the velocity of the projectile, making it cover an exponentially lesser amount of distance over
time. Thus the happy medium is a mass of 7-10 gram for the projectile, as it has enough mass to
not be affected as much by drag, and have less work done to change its inertial state.
3. String Length
The length of the string attached to the projectile should be 35-40 cm (13 - 15 in.)
total or after tying a knot at halfway, 17.5-20 cm (6 - 7 in.). This length of string allows for
the arm to pull the string, indirectly pulling the load of the projectile. Moreover, this makes it so
that the projectile is traveling a longer distance at the same amount of time, increasing its
velocity, increasing the distance the projectile can travel. If the string is too long, then the arm
will not be able to effectively move the projectile as the arm needs to rotate more to catch the
string, and the arm wastes energy that could be used to drive the projectile. If the string length is
too short then the velocity of the projectile is decreased as it travels a lesser distance over the
same amount of time. Therefore a total string length of 35-40 cm is required for a projectile, to
increase the velocity of the projectile, and have it be long enough for the string to catch the
nail and be able to fire the projectile effectively.
4. Nail Angle on the Load Side
From experimentation, we have concluded that the angle of the nail should be 10
backwards from perpendicular of the arms end, if it is a finishing nail. The nail being bent at 10
backwards makes the angle of release close to the ideal 30-45. The reason why the ideal angle
is between 30-45, is because the total velocity is evenly placed, making the projectile move
farther, the 30 accounts for the fact that gravity will pull the projectile downwards, so angling
the projectile higher, should mostly balance the effect. The nail is bent 10 backwards because of
two reasons:

A. The string connected to the projectile needs to be still attached to the nail, so 10
backwards makes it so that the nail can still catch the string, without falling off.
B. The angle keeps it closer to the ideal of 30-45, that will allow for the longest distance,
for the projectile to travel.
5. Effort : Load Ratio of 1:1
The effort to load ratio of 1:1 of the arm of the catapult is optimal. The reason why this is
optimal is because more of the Potential Energy is being directed to the load side of the
catapults arm, and not towards lifting the opposite side against gravity. If the ratio was 2:1,
the effort will be directed toward lifting the opposite side that is twice as heavy, rather than
actually launching the projectile.
6. Stopper vs. No Stopper
Not having a stopper for the catapult does not make a difference in the launch of the
projectile. The main reason why having a stopper and not having a stopper does not affect the
distance the projectile travels is because, the projectile is already launched before being
stopped. The projectile leaves because the projectiles inertia is mostly vertical, but it is moving
along a circular path. This makes it leave before hitting the stopper because of the projectiles
tendency to continue to move vertically than horizontally in a circular motion Regardless of
whether a stopper is included in a catapults design does not affect the distance the projectile
travels, as the projectile leaves the nail before the stopper releases the projectile.
7. Pillar Angle
The angle of the pillars, or the legs, of the catapult has no effect on the distance the
projectile obtains. A pillar angle of 75 does not affect the distance the projectile travels, as the
axle is still in the same position in height whether there is an angled pillar or not. Thus the
angle of the pillar has no effect on the distance traveled by the projectile, and can be used as an
aesthetic feature.
8. Axle Height
The higher the axle is raised, the farther the projectile travels. This is because, the higher
the axle is, the more use the machine makes of the Potential Energy, as the spring constant is
increased. Furthermore, the increase in height allows for the projectile to cover more distance in
the same amount of time, allowing a greater velocity, which leads to a farther distance traveled.

Our Findings with Axle Height

We found that the optimal axle height, for our machine is 10.5 inches, for it to launch the
projectile the farthest. Generally, the higher the axle, the farther the projectile travels. In this
experiment, we made markings and made holes for every inch from 7.5 inches up to 11.5 inches
for the legs or pillars (So 7.5, 8.5, 9.5, 10.5, and 11.5 inches). To launch the device, we used
pairings of rubber bands, tied together, and used 6 of these pairings. We conducted 3 trials for
every height. There is not data recorded for the height of 7.5 inches. The rest of the data is as
follows:
The average distance for the axle height at 8.5 inches was 14.3m, (46.9 ft).
The average distance for the axle height at 9.5 inches was 14.0m, (45.9 ft) with an outlier
of 1 meter for Trial #3.
The average distance for the axle height at 10.5 inches was 19.8m (65.0 ft).
The average distance for the axle height at 11.5 inches was 13.6m, (44.6 ft) with an
outlier of 8m in Trial #2.
Generally, there is a positive trend in the increase of the projectiles distance in comparison to
the height of the axle. The reason why the increase of the axle height generally correlates to
farther distances is because the increase in height makes more use of the Potential Energy of the
rubber bands. Since the rubber bands release at the same times, and the projectile follows a larger
circle, it has a higher order of magnitude in velocity. In other words, the arm takes more distance
in the same times of the rubber band release, which gives the projectile a higher velocity, and a
higher velocity leads to a farther distance covered.

Data for Axle Height at 8.5 inches

Trial

Distance in Meters

16

15

12
Average: 14.3m (46.9 ft)

Data for Axle Height at 9.5 inches

Trial

Distance in Meters

18

13

1
Average: 14.0m (45.9 ft)
Average Without Outlier: 15.5m (50.9 ft)
Data for Axle Height at 10.5 inches

Trial

Distance in Meters

19

20.5

20
Average: 19.8m ( 65.0 ft)
Data for Axle Height at 11.5 inches

Trial

Distance in Meters

17

16
Average: 13.7m (44.9 ft)
Average Without Outlier: 16.5m (54 ft)

Statistics and Calculations For Our Machine After Modifications

Trial

Distance (in meters)

Time (in seconds)

23

0.85

20

0.9

15

0.77

12

0.5

Average Distance: 17.5 meters (57.4 ft)

Average Time: 0.76 seconds
Average Velocity: 23 m/s (51.5 ft)
From the data above, it is obvious that the distance the projectile travels decreases as the
number of trials increases. But the results from this experiment has definitely improved,
compared to the previous trials. The suspected reason why the distances are decreasing, as the
trials continue, could be attributed to the fact that rubber bands do stretch, and because of the
stretch, the rubber band loses some of its resistance, or spring constant. Also the stretch in the
rubber bands does not provide the quicker release to launch the projectile. Since the spring
constant affects the Potential Energy in the system, then the Potential Energy is not being
transferred efficiently. In addition, there were inconsistencies in the results of the data where the
axle height was only manipulated. This can be attributed to the slight, but still uneven holes
where the axle was placed, the hole size of the arm, which made it move laterally on the axle,
and the length of the arm was 50 cm, including the 2 cm of nail. Since the arm ratio was set to
1:1, then each side had a length of 25 cm, or 9.8 in. This explains the outlier in trial #3 of the
axle height at 9.5 inches. The arm length was too long and ended up hitting the base of the
machine, which thwarted the trajectory of the projectile, and made it go more downwards, than
far. But for the trials for the axle height at 8.5 inches, the arm acted like a stopper, hitting the
base and guided the projectile in a mostly consistent manner.
One Modification vs. Eight Modifications
The average distance of the trials with only the axle height modified was 15.5 meters (50.9 ft),
with outliers, and 16.5 meters (54.1 ft) without outliers. In comparison to the average distance of
the revised machine, 17.5 meters (57.4 ft), the modifications have lead to a positive impact, by
measure of the distance the projectile has gone, with exception to the pillar angle and not having
a stopper, which amounted to no effect.

Additional Statistics:
Total Time in Air

0.85 seconds

Horizontal Distance

23 meters (75.5 ft)

Vertical Distance

3.5 meters (11.5 ft)

Horizontal Velocity

27 m/s (60.4 miles per hour)

Vertical Velocity

0.95 m/s (2.1 miles per hour))

Total Velocity

27m/s (60.4 miles per hour)

Angle of Release

7.4

Spring Constant (k)

19.70 Joules (1.4 lb-force/ft)

Spring Constant (k)*

157.58 Joules (10.8 lb-force/ft)

Potential Energy of the Machine

36.25 Joules (2.5 lb-force/ft)

Kinetic Energy of Projectile

2.55 Joules (0.2 lbs-force/ft)

Percent of Energy Converted

approximately 8%

*Spring constant of all eight coupled rubber bands.

Conclusion:
With all these modifications,which includes using: 8 coupled and thick rubber bands as
the input energy; the mass of the projectile being 7 grams or oz; a total string length of 40 cm,
or 15 in; the nail angle of 10 degrees backwards; having the arm ratio of effort to load to 1:1;
not including a stopper; having the pillar angle at 75; and setting the axle height to 11.5 inches,
have contributed in the betterment of the function of the machine. The total velocity of the
machine was 27 m/s (60.4 miles per hour), which means that within 0.85 seconds the projectile
covered 23 meters (75.5 ft). Therefore, per second, the projectile could cover 27 meters (88.6 ft).
Because the horizontal distance covered was 23 meters (75.5ft), and the vertical distance, or
height, the projectile traveled was 3.5 meters (11.5 ft), the angle of release was 7.4 backwards,
close to the ideal 10 backwards for the angle of release.The use or rubber bands makes it easier
to multiply the resistance force to easily create more Potential Energy into the machine. The
spring constant, or the resistance force of one rubber band is 19.70 Joules (1.4 lb-force/ft), since
eight rubber bands were used, the total resistance force was 157.58 Joules (10.8 lb-force/ft). This
makes the Potential Energy, or the amount of energy available to expend, of the machine 36.25

Joules (2.5 lb-force/ft). The Kinetic Energy of the projectile was 2.55 Joules (0.2 lbs-force/ft),
which is the Energy of the projectile while its in motion. The total efficiency of the catapult is
about 7%, as 2.55 Joules of Kinetic Energy (0.2 lbs-force/ft) was used from the 36.25 Joules (2.5
lb-force/ft) of Potential Energy. Since Kinetic Energy is the amount of energy transferred to the
projectile from the available energy, or Potential Energy, the efficiency was 8%, using lb-force/ft
calculations.