Cardboard Trebuchet Post

A big physics concept that makes the trebuchet work is gravity. Gravity pulling down on the counterweight has the biggest effect of the distance travel by the ball. Gravity itself is a environment factor so it cannot be change. The counterweight however can be changed so its a performance factor. Another factor that effects the performance is the angle of release.  This can also be changed. A 45' angle would be the best for a good release. Our cardboard trebuchet went just over 6 meters. and we got it to hit inside the circle.

Test Day Post

A major change we did to our actual trebuchet was we decreased the arm length. Before it was too long so it wouldn't be able top work right. Now the arm will be able to spin without catching on the bottom of trebuchet. Another thing we had to change is that our weight bucket broke. We still haven't yet come up with a solution for that but I think if we find a stronger buckets that can hold more weight it should work out better. The last thing that needed to be changed was the yarn attached to the pouch. It was a little think so it wouldn't come off and let the ball go. A thinner piece of string will be more effective so it will release the ball better.

The farthest our ball went was only a meter and that was wit my pushing the arm down. As soon as a effective way to have weights attached to the end of the arm is found, I think our trebechet will do a lot better.