Testing Out the Models-2 (Directions and Procedures)

   Our experiment consists of two parts: a) the testing of the catapults and b) the testing of the projectiles. After testing each catapult's performance, we tested different projectiles on the Trebuchet model. 
 To test the catapults, we used a small standard, cheap, made-in-china marble. 

 The Experiment

  Materials: Scale models of the mangonel, trebuchet, and Da Vinci catapults, small hollow plastic ball, small marble, large marble bouncy ball, cubic die, scale, spring scale, ruler, tape measure, and calculator.

Procedure(for both parts of the experiment):

1. Determine the volumes of the different projectiles by measuring their diameter and using the following equation:      For the die, use LxWxH=V. Record your data in in cm3  in Data Table A (Projectile Volume).
2. Determine the masses of the different projectiles by placing them on the scale and recording their mass to the nearest tenth in grams in Data Table B (Projectile Mass).
3. 1. 1. 1. 3. Line up all three catapults at one line. Fire them all using the small marble. Using the tape measure, measure the distance the projectile travels before hitting the ground. Do this three times. Calculate the average of the three times. Record all this data in Data Table C (Catapult Data).
4. 1. 3. Keeping the catapults in the same position, fire them all with the small marble, using the tape measure to measure the height of the highest point of the projectile's trajectory. Do this three times. Then calculate the average projectile height for each catapult. Record all data in Data Table C (Catapult Data).
5. 1. 
      

      5. Fire each catapult, but while restraining the arm or beam using the spring scale. Do this three times, then calculate the average for each catapult. This is the launching Force. Record all data in newtons in Data Table C (Catapult Data).
6. 1. 1. 5. 6. Calculate the range for each set of trials for each catapult from each of the trials, and that is the Consistency/Accuracy of each catapult variable. Record this data in Data Table C (Catapult Data)

         
         
7. 1. 1. 5. 6.        After determining the best catapult, use that catapult to measure the distance of the different projectiles. Do this three times and calculate the average. Record all data in Data Table D (Projectile Data).
8. 1. 1. 5. 6. Now do the same , but this time measure the projectile height. Do three times and calculate the average.  Record all data in Data table D (Projectile Data).
9. 1. 1. 5. 6. Now use the same method as in Step 6 to calculate the accuracy/consistency of the catapult variables. 
10. Record this data in Data Table D (Projectile Data).