Water Bomb CatapultÂ
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On a sunny day as the BBQ is cooking what could be better than firing off a Water Bomb Catapult. Oh, and we can learn a thing or two about forces while weâre at it!
What do I need?
- 2 books
- 4 clothes pegs
- 4 elastic bands
- Spoon
Water bomb! (or
ping pong ball or even paper, if you donât have a
water bomb!)
How do I do it?
STEP1 â First we need to assemble the arm of our catapult. Simply wrap an elastic band around your spoon and clothes peg so they are connected.
STEP2 â Connect your clothes peg (with spoon) to our book. Use two elastic bands to really make sure that itâs nice and tight. Make sure NOT to use your
favourite book (even though I did!)
WARNING: Never, never, never fire your catapult at anyone.
STEP3 â Carefully pull your water balloon down before releasing it into the air. (Do this outside!)
STEP4 â Now youâve made a low-powered catapult - slide an extra clothes peg under the existing clothes peg to increase your range!
Whatâs going on?
As you push down on your catapult youâre storing potential energy within the springs. When you release your catapult this potential energy is transferred into the kinetic energy of the âarmâ of your catapult.
One the arm gets to the top it stops but as the water bomb is in motion is continues and so goes flying! The reason that your catapult goes higher with more clothes pegs is that by adding clothespegs youâre able to store more potential energy. Thereâs more energy available to be transferred into kinetic energy to launch your water bomb even further.
More Fun Please! -Â Experiment like a real scientist!
- Test out some ideas to find the optimal (safe) ammunition for your catapult!
- Whatâs the maximum number of clothes pegs that you can safely use?
- Whatâs the maximum height and range you can get?
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