INVESTIGATING THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD:
“CATAPULTS...LAUNCHING INTO A NEW ERA”
I. WHAT IS A CATAPULT?
1) Ask a Question/Identify Problem
2) Research the Problem
50 Points: * History = 25 Points _____
* Sketches = 25 Points _____
II. CHOOSE A CATAPULT TO CONSTRUCT
Due: August 19th
3) Form a Hypothesis
50 Points: * Type = 10 Points _____
* Parts = 20 Points
_____
* Sketch/Time = 20 Points _____
III. CONSTRUCTING YOUR CATAPULT
50 Points: * Design = 30 Points _____
* Graph of Launches = 10 Points ______
* Explanation of Design = 10 Points _____
IV. ANALYSIS & CONCLUSION
50 Points: * Analysis = 25 Points _____
* Conclusion = 25 Points _____
V. FINAL LAUNCH / TEST
50 Points: * Construction & Changes = 25 Points _____
* Improvements = 25 Points _____
Due: September 9th
4) Test & Experiment
Due: October 8th
5) Analyze & Record Data
6) State Conclusion
Due: November 11th
7) Repeat Work
Due: December 16th
TOTAL POINTS = 250
THIS COUNTS AS 2 ½ TEST GRADES!!
STUDENT SIGNATURE: ____________________________________
PARENT SIGNATURE: _____________________________________
CATAPULT HISTORY / RESEARCH “HANDOUT”
We typically think of a catapult as something that was used in the Middle Ages to destroy the
walls of a castle. But catapults have a very long history dating long before the time of castles and
they were developed and designed in many different ways by many different cultures over the
centuries.
What is a catapult?
The general definition is that a catapult is a machine that stores energy then quickly releases this
energy to fire a projectile. To be a "real" catapult the machine generally has to be too large for a
person to carry. If we just used the storage and release of energy to define a catapult then a
longbow would also fit this definition. So the size of the machine is important.
How did catapults develop?
Catapults are an offshoot of the Crossbow. Over time crossbows got larger and larger. They went
from being a hand-held weapon to something called the Belly-Bows which were so large they
had to be braced against a knight's belly. From there they got even larger and became something
called stand crossbows where they were mounted on stands. Eventually they got large enough to
be defined as something in their own right and no longer crossbows. This size change also
brought about changes in how they operated.
When did the first catapults appear and where? The earliest writings of catapults were that they
originated in China around the 3rd and 4th Century BC and this type of early catapult was much
like a big crossbow. They stood around 8 feet tall. True that these are catapults but the thing that
makes a catapult into the machine we generally consider to be authentic is the development of
the swinging arm. This is the arm that holds the bucket and projectile.
Variations of Catapults
The term "catapult" is used to define a very wide variety of large machines for hurling projectiles
and some of the more common variations include the trebuchet, which is a catapult that uses
gravity and a seesaw effect to hurl its projectile. Another variation is the ballista, which is similar
to a crossbow and uses twisted skeins of material to create torsion as its way of storing energy
for release.
The End of Catapults
With the invention and use of gunpowder and the subsequent creation of artillery the catapult
became obsolete as the weapon of choice for warfare around the fourteenth century.
Catapults have a long history and changed dramatically over many centuries. The true catapult
that we think of today as a siege engine only saw limited use in the middle ages. Just as it was
coming into its power as a machine of destruction gunpowder and artillery quickly replaced it as
the weapon of choice.
I. What is a Catapult? (Due: August 19th)
(State/Identify the Problem & Research)
A = 25 Points (5 Points Each)
B = 25 Points (8 Points/Sketch)
A. Research a brief history of catapults (use the HANDOUT on the back of cover page).
1) Definition of catapult __________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
2) What is considered to be a “real” catapult? _______________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
3) When did the first catapults appear (what time frame? _____________________
_____________________________________________________________________
4) What are 2 other names for the catapult? Define each.
a. _________ - ________________________________________________________
b. _________ - ________________________________________________________
5) What replaced the catapult? ____________________________________________
B. Describe and illustrate the construction of various catapults. (Use the link below)
http://www.stormthecastle.com/catapult/development-timeline-of-the-catapult.htm
1) Mangonel (On a separate sheet of copy paper draw a sketch of this type and label)
2) Onager (On a separate sheet of copy paper draw a sketch of this type and label)
3) Trebuchet (On a separate sheet of copy paper draw a sketch of this type and label)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------II. Choose a Catapult to Construct (Due: Sept. 9th)
A = 10 Points
(Form a Hypothesis)
B = 20 Points
C = 20 Points
Choose a catapult to build. You may use designs/ideas from the following website:
http://www.stormthecastle.com/catapult/index.htm
A. Type of Catapult = ___________________________________
B. Create a list of parts needed for construction in the box below (Include dimensions).
C. Draw a sketch of what you think it will look like when finished.
How much time do you think will be required for the entire construction?
III. Constructing Your Catapult (Due: October 8th)
(Test & Experiment)
A = 30 Points
B = 10 Points
C = 10 Points
A. First Construction
Bring your first catapult construction to class to be tested/launched. Record the
distance of each launch in the space provided below (to be done in class on launch date):
1) Launch # 1 = _____________________________________________
2) Launch # 2 = _________________________________________________
3) Launch # 3 = _________________________________________________
Average Distance of Launch = _____________________________________
B. Design a graph that illustrates your distances for each launch and average.
(Remember to provide a title for your graph and label your “x” and “y” axes)
X-axis = the independent variable ; Y-axis = the dependent variable
Use a separate sheet of paper (copy or graph paper will do)
C. Explain the Procedures of Your Catapult Mechanics. (To be done at home before due date)
In the space below describe (in paragraph form) how your catapult works. Provide
as many details so that the reader fully understands the mechanics behind your
catapult design. (Use additional paper if more space is needed.)
IV. Analysis & Conclusion of the Launch/Test (Due: November 11th)
(Analyze & Record Data, State Conclusion)
A = 25 Points
B = 25 Points
A. Record Observations Below:
1. What worked well with the design? (Be specific)
2. What did not work well with your design? (Be specific)
3. Discuss the relationship between “mass” and “force” seen within your launches.
B. State Your Conclusion.
In the space below discuss the following:
1) What improvements/modifications will be made to improve the design?
2) How did your design compare/contrast with other designs?
3) What did you learn overall about catapults? (Look back to the research)
4) What did you learn about the Scientific Method? (Think about start to finish)
V. Final Launch (Due: December 16th)
(Repeat Work)
A & B = 25 Points
C = 25 Points
A. Bring catapult back to school and launch.
B. Describe in writing all modifications made to your design in the space below.
C. Record any observable improvements with your design in the space below.
(Did it work better or worse?)