), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksG87OUZOkA. Did you make this project? When the counterweight falls, it will drag the eraser along the ground and then pull it up into the air. What happens if you use something other than an eraser, such as a small balled up piece of paper. Now it is time to test your trebuchet. 5. "I am building a trebuchet for a class in my school and was wondering how to make the sling.". Flip over the stack so that the stick you pushed through is now on the bottom Parent: Lay the second notched stick on top of the popsicle stack and wrap a rubber band around the two popsicle sticks. http://www.redstoneprojects.com/trebuchetstore/how_a_trebuchet_catapult_works.html, http://www.stormthecastle.com/trebuchet/trebuchet-build5.htm, http://www.stormthecastle.com/trebuchet/how-to-build-a-trebuchet.htm, http://houseplans.glitven.com/trebuchet-building-plans/. Awesome. You'll need to wrap the rubber band around several times to make it nice and secure. Today we continued practicing hitting a target with our trebuchet. Approved. Today. If any of the joints seem weak or the frame wobbles significantly, reinforce them with tape, glue, or rubber bands. You probably know what a catapult is. Handout is turned in on time and completed. Welcome to Storm the Castle! https://stormthecastle.com. My passion is physics and mechanics and I want to be a Mechanical Engineer in the future. It does not store any personal data. 3. Create more leverage with your catapult by pushing the stack of popsicle sticks towards the notched ends connected by the rubber band. Share it with us! Reinforce the connections with glue/tape and some extra popsicle stick pieces if necessary so they remain standing on their own. The area you notched will help keep the rubber band in place Student: Use rubber bands to attach the spoon or bottle cap to the popsicle stick. You can go through the step 1 of first method and follow the same. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Consequently, their skills are in demand to design millions of different products in almost every type of industry. Popsicle Stick Catapult Ideas for Kids STEM Activity. Instructions Take 5 sticks and stack them, securing one end with a rubber band. This should raise the counterweight up in the air. As the arm swings, the sling holding the eraser slides off the hook and the eraser's kinetic energy causes it to fly through the air as a projectile. cardboard box. One must make sure that the holes in the washers are big enough for the pencil to fit through. You should be able to tinker with your design a bit (see recommendations at the end of the procedure) to get your eraser to launch. The straw should be much closer to the counterweight than it is to the hook. A trebuchet works differently. I hope this helps a bit and best of luck on the assignment. STEP 7: Lay the second notched stick on top of the stack and secure the two popsicle sticks together with a rubber band as shown below. Depending on exactly how you built your trebuchet, the results you see will vary. The triangle spikes, which serve to keep the triangle from slipping when it hits the ground, are most visible in the front and side views. (This distance is something you can try adjusting later.). Try this project to build a miniature version! Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Super Glue 3. If you plan to use your trebuchet outdoors, you'll want to make a larger trebuchet. Explore. Two uprights. Thank you. A trebuchet has a counterweight that is raised and then dropped. 2023 Scientific American, a Division of Springer Nature America, Inc. Enjoy. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Then the counterweight is allowed to fall, rotating the lever arm and converting that potential into kinetic energy in the projectile, which is flung through the air. If you made the long base pieces 1 foot (30 cm) long, they would be 10 to 12 inches (24 to 30 cm) long. [1] You can build a smaller versions of a trebuchet on your own to learn about the physics behind them. If you have trouble with the trebuchet releasing the projectile at the right time, you can adjust the weight of the counterweight or remount the swing arm through a different hole. When drilling holes through the swing arm, use the bit the next diameter larger than that of the axle or possibly even 2 sizes larger. This forms a crossbar and completes your trebuchet's frame. Research source When you pull down on the eraser, this causes the battery to lift up in the air, giving it (gravitational) potential energy. This will give the structure a firm base. Glue them together and repeat with the other pieces. Instead I used just some string to attach the counterweight. Please enter a search term in the text box. What are eye hooks? Use electrical tape and tie it on either side of the pencil so that the pencil cannot come out of the washer. A well-built trebuchet should be able to hurl an eraser a few feet. They are called Eye Hooks here in Pakistan. This will hold your projectile. 6 years ago. If you prefer, you can design the support braces to look like isosceles triangles so that they will slope on both sides of the uprights when assembled. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Jan 17, 2017 - a complete tutorial on how to make a small trebuchet out of popsicle sticks. Active Time 15 minutes. Wood glue can take some time to set, so it is a good idea to have a clamp or something ready to hold the popsicle sticks together while the glue dries. If you like, you can tie the string holding the sling to the trebuchet directly to the hook and tie the other end to a loop of thin wire to make it easier to slide off the hook when launching the projectile. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Start out by building the two side A-frame pieces. Virtually every object that you see around you has passed through the hands of a mechanical engineer. Finally, attach your axle, swing arm, sling, and counterweight. Step 7: Make a simple popsicle stick catapult for fun play at home. Place a third popsicle stick on top of the first two, laying it over the middle where they meet. Today I finished CAPA. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Step 11: If any of the joints seem weak or the frame wobbles significantly, reinforce them with tape, glue, or rubber bands. 11 years ago Start with about seven popsicle sticks and place them on top of each other. Actually anything in the field of engineering would do. What happens if you use something other than an eraser, such as a small balled up piece of paper? It will act as a counter weight carrier. A backyard trebuchet could be made of wood or PVC pipe with a 24-inch (60 cm) base and a 32-inch (80 cm) swing arm. What happens if you make the sling longer or shorter? If this thrust falls on the short side of the frame, it could pitch the trebuchet forward. Now you might need to tinker with your trebuchet in order to get the best launch. Rated 5 stars and i'm following you as well:), that is cool! The straw should be much closer to the counterweight than it is to the hook. Comment Download Step 1: What you need: 1. Step 9: Secure it in place with rubber bands. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Create a square shaped base using Popsicle sticks, rubber bands, wooden stick, a piece of straw and glue. Get ready to build your own! , but not quite, straight. Not screw eyes. Then, making sure no people, animals or breakable objects are nearby, let go. Remember that there is no single correct way to build the trebuchet. Heather Sheridan P.E., PMP is a Civil Engineer and Project Manager at Black & Veatch in the Hydropower Department. Curious about the science? Watch. The straw and pencil form a pivot and should allow the arm to rotate. Twist an elastic band around each end to hold them in place. Follow him on Twitter @BenFinio. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. Electrical Tape Make a counter weight by inserting heavy metal pieces/ stones (I used coins) in a plastic zip loc bag. A medieval science project from Science Buddies, Key concepts Assemble the base and the support braces, then attach the uprights and braces to the base pieces. First use super glue to join the pillars to the base. Assemble all your materials in a location that is open and clear of people, animals or breakable objects so that you can test your trebuchet. Step 4: Remember that there is no single "correct" way to build the trebuchet. A trebuchet has a lever arm with a large, heavy counterweight on one end and a smaller projectile on the other end. A piece of rebar would make the strongest axle, but you can also use a screwdriver blade or the axle from a wheeled garbage can. Slide the pencil into the milk shake straw. Discover world-changing science. Round Pencils (as an axle) 7. x 10 in.) This will leave a small notch for the pencil to rest in later. In this event, prior to the competition, teams will design, construct, and calibrate a single device capable of launching projectiles onto a target and collect data regarding device parameters and performance. If your trebuchet is small enough, you can launch the projectile by sharply pulling down on the short end of the swing arm instead of using a counterweight. If you plan to use your trebuchet outdoors, youll want to make a larger trebuchet. More powerful. (We do not recommend using glue for this stepthat way you can remove the crossbar and swap out the arm to make changes.). 3. Many medieval trebuchets were larger and could hurtle projectiles even farther than catapults. This easy popsicle stick catapult project for kids is the perfect STEM activity at home, home school or in the classroom. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. 1. By using our site, you agree to our. When you pull down on the eraser, this causes the battery to lift up in the air, giving it (gravitational) potential energy. Could you add a picture of the screw eye you used? We figured out our range (4-24 feet) and practiced hitting specific spots. Place the pencil into the two V notches on top of your A-frame pieces. Popsicle Stick Trebuchet Analysis Questions. You should be able to tinker with your design a bit to get your eraser to launch. Word Document File. Attach another popsicle stick vertically on the other side of the construction to get a U, then one more to form a square. We used a rock as our counterweight. Background Two long base pieces. Your swing arm should be 1 and 1/3 times the length of the base. A toy trebuchet might seem harmless, but even a small projectile can cause eye damage. If that is too complex then go with the Popsicle Stick Trebuchet. What if you glue multiple popsicle sticks together to make a longer arm? Please rate this Instructable and follow me if you liked it :). A trebuchet has a lever arm with a large, heavy counterweight on one end and a smaller projectile on the other end. Learn more A trebuchet (pronounced TREB-you-shay) is a medieval English siege engine or catapult that consists of a large arm mounted on a cart or stand. Step-2: Attach Vertical Supporting Structures Do not get confused!! Connected by the rubber band by building the two V notches on of! Team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness the air at home, home school in! 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