1. Everything you need to know about Catapults
Image:
source:
information: An aircraft director guides an F/A-18C Hornet onto a catapult aboard the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman in the Atlantic Ocean, Feb. 1, The Harry S. Truman is supporting fleet replacement squadron carrier qualifications. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Kilho Park

2. Jet Launch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6bPHFhOw4U

3. Your Mission Build a catapult and defeat the neighboring camp
They have weapons, walls, and food.
All you have are your mad design skills, wooden dowels, rubber bands and some glue.

4. Types of Catapults Trebuchet Ballista Launches darts, bolts and spears
Launches darts, bolts and spears
Best suited for launching projectiles of various sizes
Throws heavy payloads from a distance
Best suited for launching payload over walls

5. Continued Mangonel Able to control the launch angle
Best suited for destroying walls

6. Catapults in Action
(Start at 4:54)

7. The fulcrum is where a lever rests
Parts of a Catapult
Base
Acts as the fulcrum
Arm
Propels payload
Frame
Anchors and supports the arm
A fulcrum is the point where a lever rests
The fulcrum is where a lever rests

8. Launch Angle
You need to find the angle which launches the projectile the furthest
Is less than 90 degrees
The ideal launch angle is 45 degrees

9. You can build a
The tighter the string, the great the launch force.

10. Things to keep in mind
What are some key design goals when designing a catapult?
What shaped base should you design?
What angle should be used to launch an object the farthest?
Images:
Top: catapult
Source:
Bottom: projectile motion from a catapult
Source:

11. Your project
Build a catapult that can launch a ping pong ball a minimum distance of 15 feet
You will need to test at least 3 different launch angles