Data

The data team works in tandem with other teams in order to document the processes the team takes while building the trebuchet and other important activities taken by other groups, such as the procedure of the team leaders.

Guiding Question

Can we build and launch a floating arm trebuchet?

Timeline

May 15 - Begin research
May 16 to 29 - Work on data collection (simulated), assist in construction as needed
May 30 - launch trebuchet and record actual data for analysis

Procedure for Data Collection - Pre-Building Trebuchet

Log onto the floating arm trebuchet simulation website. Use http://www.benchtophybrid.com/TB_5DOF_Floating.html for research
Click "launch" and observe results on graph
Adjust data values to achieve ideal length of a football field (110) and ideal efficiency above 85%
Document results and construct 2D models to display data
Communicate dimension to mechanical team for construction initialization
Begin testing using variable value for the mass of projectile, mass of weight and angle of arm spike to account for air resistance
Upon construction of trebuchet, conduct test with original dimensions and variable weigh to find comparable data to previous prediction tests, graph data
Compare and document the data observed from simulation and actual test

Data Procedure for Measuring Accuracy

Launch the trebuchet simulation website on http://www.benchtophybrid.com/TB_5DOF_Floating.html
Make target and data table
Launch trebuchet
Measure distance from target and insert to data table
Repeat steps 3 and 4 for as many times needed - preferably 4 times
Make graph of data table

Procedure for Data Collection - Fully-Built Trebuchet

observe trebuchet launch
Make target and data table
Launch for additional trials
Measure distance from target and record in table
Repeat steps 3+4 until satisfied with results
Make graph of data table
Compare actual data with simulated data points

Data Notes

The theory behind the floating arm trebuchet

The floating arm trebuchet is called this because its arm has no fixed pivot point. That is mainly caused by the fact that the counterweight is dropped straight down rather than revolved around a point.

How is the object flung by the trebuchet?

The object is flung because the heavy counterweight that sits at the top of the drop channel (the straight opening where the weight will be dropped) is dropped which causes the side of the arm holding the object to rise very quickly, transferring a lot of kinetic energy into the ball. The potential energy of the counterweight is turned to kinetic when dropped, which transfers kinetic energy into the arm and then into the ball, and when the arm suddenly stops when it hits the ground, the ball is sent flying with a lot of kinetic energy.

How does torque in the trebuchet relate to acceleration?

As the weight in the trebuchet system is dropped it applies force to one end of the arm. This force extends through the arm rotationally along the fulcrum, becoming known as torque; this results in a force through the other end. Force is one of two components in acceleration, the other being mass, therefore, the greater the arm's torque produced by the force of the weight, the more it will accelerate.

Torque of trebuchet

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