Analysis

Raw data

Measure the following quantities:

Distance fulcrum - counterweight
Distance axle - projectile
Length of sling (only for trebuchet)
Height change of the counterweight
Distance the projectile is accelerated from 1 → 2
Maximum distance traveled

Time measurement - record a video and analyze it

Time the projectile is accelerated 1 → 2
Time the projectile is in the air 2 → 3

Velocity and Acceleration

Calculate from the collected raw data:

The average velocity for the projectile from 2 to 3
The acceleration from rest at 1 to the calculated speed at 2

Potential and Kinetic Energy

Determine the following energies:

Potential energy lost by the counterweight from 1 to 2
Kinetic energy of the projectile at 2

Energy Conversion Efficiency

Calculate the energy conversion efficiency of your catapult / trebuchet:

The energy conversion efficiency is defined as the ratio between the useful output of a machine and the input, in energy terms.
Consider the potential energy of the counterweight as input and the kinetic energy of the projectile as output.

Momentum

Tesla's presentation of their cybertruck last week demonstrated the implications of momentum

Determine the momentum your projectile would have at impact.
Since we don't use steel balls, our windows should be fine (2019/11/21).

Documentation

Document your work:

Write your calculations into your ISN. Use the formulas, show your work and don't forget the units.
Enter your results into this worksheet.
If you're too fast, create a Jupyter notebook in colaboratory with your results and calculations.

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