Catapult, Ping Pong Balls, Clamps

 

Code Number: 1M40.97

Demo Title: Catapult

Condition: Excellent

Principle: Energy Conservation

Area of Study: Mechanics

Equipment: 

Catapult, Ping Pong Balls, Clamps.

Procedure:

Clamp the catapult to a table.  Place one of the Ping Pong balls into the cup, pull the arm down till it touches the table, and release.  The ball should travel 20 to 25 feet from the catapult.

References:

  • Joseph West, Seth Ross, James Flesher, "The Rolling Release Rulapult", TPT, Vol. 49, # 6, Sept, 2011, p. 353.
  • "Animal Accelerations", TPT, Vol. 44, # 4, April 2006, p. 247.
  • Charles Hartman, "Catapulting the Interest and Success of Physics Students", TPT, Vol. 24, # 9, December 1986, p. 556.
  • Ed McNeil and Norbert Zarumba, "A Mystery Heat(?) Engine", TPT, Vol. 22, # 6, Sept. 1984, p. 400.
  • James Schadewald, "Snowball Catapult!", Popular Mechanics, Feb. 2016, p. 99.
  • William Gurstelle, Mary Gruber, "Teach A Kid DIY, Engineering, and Physics With a Freewheeling Tabletop Catapult!", Popular Mechanics, May/June 2022, p. 62.
  • Gregory Mone, "Human Catapult", Popular Science, June 2013, p. 89.
  • Kelvin Catapult Design P/N 844229, Kelvin School Projects.
  • The Editors of Popular Mechanics, "Making a Toy Catapult", The Boy Mechanic, p. 242.
  • Bobby Mercer, "Clothespin Catapult", Junk Drawer Physics, p. 38.
  • Bobby Mercer, "Door-To-Door Launcher", Junk Drawer Physics, p. 40.
  • Derek Wulff, Catapult, Pathfinders Design and Techology, 2009.