ShareForce, Energy, & Motion - Tee Time
On
the previous Sci-ber text page, you learned
how the distance from a lever's fulcrum changed mechanical advantage.
Now it is time to apply the concepts of levers and mechanical advantage.
Your goal will be to engineer a catapult that uses levers to launch
a golf ball!
Challenge your friends to see who can make the best catapult. The following will help you be successful.
- Determine which class of lever you are going to use.
- Calculate the mechanical advantage and determine if you can increase it. (there will be some rules to follow to make it equal.)
- As a challenge, see if you can get your catapult to launch the golf ball a minimum of 5 feet.
- How far can you make your catapult launch the golf ball?
Materials:
- Wood or other materials to make the catapult (warning PVC pipe can shatter and should not be used!)
- Meter stick
- Golf ball
- Measuring tape
Procedure:
- Design a catapult that does not exceed one cubic foot (12" high x 12" wide x 12" deep) in size.
- The lever arm may not exceed 2 feet.
- You may power the catapult by any mechanical means possible. (examples: rubberbands, counterbalance weight, or elastic lever arms.)
- The golf ball may not be touched after it is placed on the catapult.
- If challenging friends, the winner of the competition should be
the person who can launch the golf ball the farthest and straightest.
- One golf ball is placed on the catapult.
- Use the catapult's launch mechanism to send your golf ball flying!
- Use the tape measure to determine the distance the golf ball travels.
Safety concerns: As with all science lab activities, the most important safety rule is to follow all teacher directions.
Analysis:
- Which kind of lever did you decide to use?
- What was the mechanical advantage of your catapult?
- How far were you able to launch your golf ball?
- What was the farthest distance that anyone was able to launch a golf ball?
- Which kind of lever did the winner use?
