Gravity Powered Catapult

Target Grade: A (or A+)_* Bonus Points: 20

NOTICE!!Read the "General Guidelines" first! Then, read this...
» - » You must have a project design form signed by your science teacher before you begin your project. The project design form and this form must be returned with your project. Failure to return both forms will result in a penalty of 5%. If you begin your project before obtaining your science teacher's signature on the project design form, your project may be disqualified.
» - » Check the TARGET GRADE (most likely your maximum grade) at the top of the page.
» - » You may not use AC electricity to power your project. Only DC electricity of less than 5 amperes & 15 volts is permitted.
» - » You may not copy another student's design for your project (except for bridges & towers). Yours must be significantly different.
» - » You may not do the same project twice without permission from your science teacher.
» - » In order to earn “bonus points” and extra credit, your project must be handed in by the due date, and must earn at least 96 %.
» - » Projects handed in more than 4 days late will not be presented or tested in class.
» - » You must complete a project design form and get it signed by your teacher before you begin your project.

OBJECTIVE - The objective of this project is to build the lightest gravity powered (e.g., no springs, rubber bands, CO²) catapult that will launch a #2 rubber stopper (or object of equal or greater mass) at least 5 m (16 ft. 8 in.) without hitting anything but air along the trajectory.
PROJECT GUIDELINES
1. Read the INDEPENDENT PROJECT GENERAL GUIDELINES first.
2. Complete a project design form and get it signed by your science teacher.
3. Design your catapult and get the design approved by your science teacher before you build it.
4. Except for the base, projectile sling, gears, pulleys & pulley ropes, projectile container & weight container, your catapult must be entirely made of 1st, 2nd or 3rd class levers and all levers must function as levers. (Find out more about levers from your science text.)
Note: You may not use springs, rubber bands, CO² , etc. for power... just gravity!
5. Your catapult may be no larger than 120 cm (4 ft) in any dimension.
6. Your catapult may not have a total mass of more than 10 kg (22 lb.) including the weight used to launch the projectile.
7. Your catapult will be disqualified if it self destructs during operation.
8. The weight must be securely attached to a solid lever arm.
9. You may not hit, or drop anything on, the catapult to launch the stopper.
10. Build your catapult and test it at home.
11. You must successfully demonstrate the catapult to your class to receive full credit.
NOTE: The distance measurement will be taken from the launch point of the projectile to the point on the ground where it first hits.
12. See the Grading Criteria for how you can earn an A+._* Back to the IP-Index.