The formula we then used is: MgH = ½ mv^2 + mgh. M is mass of counterweight, g is gravity (9.8 m/s), H is height of the counterweight, m is mass of projectile and h is height of projectile at launch.
Table of Contents
What is the physics behind trebuchets?
To launch a projectile, a trebuchet utilizes the transfer of gravitational potential energy into kinetic energy. A massive counterweight at one end of a lever falls because of gravity, causing the other end of the lever to rise and release a projectile from a sling.
What are the weaknesses of a trebuchet?
Disadvantages. Although trebuchets have greater power and range than catapults, they also have drawbacks. Trebuchets are more complicated than torsion catapults and therefore are plagued by mechanical breakdowns, require more maintenance, more skill to operate and a larger crew.
What distance can trebuchets throw?
The farthest distance thrown by a trebuchet (with projectile weight of 20kg and over) is 133.75 m (438.81 ft), and was achieved by Sierra Nevada Brewing Company (USA) in Chico, California, USA, on 2 March 2021. The projectile was in the air for approximately 5.53 seconds.
How does Newton’s third law apply to a trebuchet?
Newton’s 3rd law, this might affect the trebuchet the most its firing system is based on this law. The counterweight drops which is the action, and the reaction is the propellant is brought up and over the trebuchet.
What is the best ratio for a trebuchet?
A trebuchet needs some careful measurements for it to be able to work properly. The length of your sling needs to be 4/5ths the total length of your throwing arm. The pivot should be 1/5th of the way up your throwing arm, so that the arm has a long bit and a short bit.
How much weight can a trebuchet launch?
A trebuchet is a device for attacking fortifications. Roughly speaking, a trebuchet has a few advantages over a catapult. First, it can handle heavier projectiles. A catapult’s maximum weight tops out at about 180 pounds; trebuchets top out at about 350.
What is the best launch angle for a trebuchet?
Optimal release angle of 38.5◦ . Maximum range for a projectile shot by the ideal launcher is 34,142 meters.
What angle does a trebuchet launch at?
The initial release position is such that the beam on the counterweight side makes an angle of 45° with the vertical. The length of the long arm of the beam (on the payload side) is 3.75 times the length of the short arm of the beam (on the counterweight side).
What factors affect a trebuchet?
A large distance between the fulcrum and the projectile. A large height above the ground from which the counterweight is suspended. The use of aerodynamic projectiles. Minimum friction about the fulcrum.
Can trebuchets break walls?
Trebuchets were very heavy and often built on-site, and were not designed to be mobile, but to lay siege to a castle or city and destroy its protective walls.
How does weight affect a trebuchet?
A trebuchet with a heavy weight and a long arm will throw projectiles the farthest. The heavier counterweight makes the projectile go further because a larger counterweight mass will make a larger mechanical advantage.
Can a trebuchet fire a car?
They can really throw some weight around including multiple cars at one time,” astrophysicist Hakeem Oluseyi said. The 23m high structure was even able to hurl a car and a boat at the once.
How do trebuchets use gravity?
To launch a projectile, a trebuchet utilizes the transfer of gravitational potential energy into kinetic energy. A massive counterweight at one end of a lever falls because of gravity, causing the other end of the lever to rise and release a projectile from a sling.
Are trebuchets accurate?
Trebuchets are mainly made for throwing heavy objects as a projectile to break the walls of a castle or forts. There are limitations on how much weight a trebuchet can throw. Trebuchets can throw a shot to a significant distance, its range is higher than the catapult, but it is not as precise as a catapult.
What evidence is there that energy is conserved in a trebuchet?
The trebuchet works on the principle of conservation of energy. As the counterweight is raised, potential energy is being stored in the system. Once the counterweight is raised to the desired height, all the energy in the system becomes potential, leaving zero kinetic energy.
How does a trebuchet use momentum?
Momentum: The product of the mass and velocity of an object. When the locking mechanism on the trebuchet is released, gravity acts upon the counterweight, pulling it down. The velocity of the counterweight transfers to the velocity of the projectile; the tennis ball.
What happen according to Newton’s third laws while you pull a catapult?
Explanation: A catapult is actually a ballistic device which allows to launch or thrown matter in a projectile motion with great speed. According to third law of motion: “Any force of action will have a reaction which is equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to the action force”.
What are the 5 most important parts of a trebuchet?
42 There are five basic parts to a trebuchet: the frame, the counterweight, the beam, the sling, and the guide chute. The frame supports all the other parts, and sits on a raised platform from which to drop the counterweight.
What makes an efficient trebuchet?
The efficiency of a trebuchet can be increased by various design enhancements, including: the addition of wheels • the addition of a sling • hinging the counterweights • lengthening the sling • making the arm lighter. A trebuchet is a catapult based on counterweights.
What is the most important part of a trebuchet?
One of the most important components of the trebuchet is the sling, which greatly increases the range of the weapon by simply extending the length of the throwing arm [5]. Not only does the sling add firing distance to the trebuchet, it gives the crew manning the trebuchet the ability to aim.
Is it illegal to build a trebuchet?
Construction Plans And there are no laws prohibiting the construction of catapults.
Can you launch a human with a trebuchet?
The world’s largest working trebuchet can hurl a man-sized projectile at a speed of up to 70 m/s. Working with this video of the trebuchet firing, it looks like it takes about 2 seconds to build up to that speed. This puts the minimum acceleration on the projectile (AKA the person) at between 3 and 4 Gs.
What are the 3 types of trebuchets?
- Traction trebuchet. The traction trebuchet or mangonel was first recorded in use in ancient China.
- Hand-trebuchet. The hand-trebuchet was basically a one-person traction trebuchet used initially in Greece.
- Hybrid trebuchet.
- Counterweight trebuchet.
Why does 45 degrees give maximum launch range?
The sine function reaches its largest output value, 1, with an input angle of 90 degrees, so we can see that for the longest-range punts 2θ = 90 degrees and, therefore, θ = 45 degrees. A projectile, in other words, travels the farthest when it is launched at an angle of 45 degrees.