The science behind catapults is easily explained using the equations of projectile motion. The key thing to remember about any projectile-motion problem is that once the projectile has been released, the only force it is subjected to is that of its own weight resulting from gravity. When a projectile is released, it has both horizontal and vertical components of motion.
Luckily for physicists and students, these can be analyzed separately, since gravity does not affect horizontal motion. Thus if you want to launch a projectile as far as possible, point it exactly halfway to a point directly overhead and fire away! Kevin Beck holds a bachelor's degree in physics with minors in math and chemistry from the University of Vermont. Formerly with ScienceBlogs. More about Kevin and links to his professional work can be found at www. How Does a Catapult Work? See the Resources for a handy guide to making your own small-scale catapult.
Related Articles Modern Uses of a Catapult. How to Calculate Tangential Force. How to Build an Easy Catapult for Kids. History of the Pendulum. How to Calculate Catapult Force. They have wheels so that they can be moved. Catapult history originates in ancient Greece, with the earliest recorded mentions in historical texts coming from the 1st century B. The earliest catapults evolved from devices much like crossbows.
Although early catapults were used to launch arrows, ancient engineers soon developed the technology to launch larger objects, such as stones. Since catapults were feats of early engineering, many rulers bragged about the prowess and accuracy of their siege machines.
Catapults were even used in World War I to help soldiers launch projectiles over the trenches. Believe it or not, catapults were even used on aircraft carriers in World War II, and their use continues today. To help fighter jets leave the runway on an aircraft carrier, which is usually much shorter than any runway on land, engineers used steam-powered catapults to help launch small planes into the air before the short runway ran out beneath them.
Without these catapults, the aircraft would have ended up in water. A modern update of those early aircraft carrier catapults lives on. This updated version uses electromagnetic technology to help get airplanes airborne. Electromagnetic technology is more efficient than steam power. These catapults can also be used on bigger planes. In medieval times, catapults were used as siege weapons and designed to launch objects over castle walls. Some of these objects were what you might think of as usual military weapons.
They were things like stones, arrows and other projectiles. But medieval bombardiers were more creative than that. Some used their catapults to launch flaming objects over the castle crenellations in hopes of setting the castle on fire. Other medieval catapult operators were even more diabolical.
They used their siege machines to fling diseased corpses or other forms of pestilence over castle walls. In siege warfare, this was particularly devastating because the group defending the castle usually locked themselves inside its walls. How catapults were used in medieval times? What are medieval catapults? What are the 3 main types of catapults? What is another name for a catapult?
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